Man Tries to Steal Top-Shelf Booze in His Pants: Southington Cops

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Waterbury man was arrested after trying to sneak an expensive bottle of liquor down his pants at a Southington store, police said.

On Sunday at approximately 3:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to Wineland Discount Liquors, 1543 Meriden Waterbury Road, after a panic a panic alarm went off for a shoplifting in progress, police said.

Police wound up issuing Nino Nealy, 25, of Waterbury, a misdemeanor summons for sixth-degree larceny and operation while under suspension, police said.

The store clerk reported that Nealy entered the store and began looking around, police said.

Nealy was then observed selecting a bottle from a shelf and then allegedly concealed it down the front of his pants, police said.

Nealy then allegedly walked past the points of purchase without attempting to pay for the concealed bottle, police said.

According to a report, the clerk yelled at Nealy and Nealy removed the bottle, left it at the store and fled the area in a vehicle.

An SPD officer located Nealy and the vehicle in the area and found Nealy’s operator’s license has been suspended since 2012.

Police placed the value of the bottle at $49.99.

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