Video Shows Theft of $100 from Autistic Stamford Man at Mall Entrance

An autistic Stamford man who was about to spend $100 he had been given for his birthday was robbed of the money by another man who approached him in a friendly way at the entrance to the Town Center Mall.

Stamford police released a video showing the incident, which took place at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the mall entrance near Veterans Park in downtown Stamford.

The video shows the man, wearing a jacket with a distinctive square on the front and pants with a stripe down the side, approach the 27-year-old autistic man and start chatting with him. The victim showed the thief the money he’d been given and the thief then takes it into his own hands, at points taunting the victim by pretending to give it back.

The thief then puts his hand in a pants pocket of the victim, who thought he was getting it back. The two briefly hug before the victim continues into the mall and the thief turns around and goes back toward Veteran’s Park, eventually breaking into a run.

The victim started screaming and was heard by a downtown ambassador who was on patrol nearby, according to a report in the Stamford Advocate. The downtown ambassador saw a man running away and thought a robbery might have taken place. Police swarmed the area but didn’t find the thief. The victim’s mother took him home.

Fox Connecticut reported that Stamford police released this statement in connection with the incident:

“Stamford Police Officers, together with the Police Union, have rallied together and started a collection for the victim, unbeknownst to him, to get him his money back. Several Stamford citizens have also come forward to contribute as a result of this crime. Let it be known, the Stamford Police Department does not stand for this type of behavior within our community or tolerate this behavior from any of our community members.”

Stamford police released this statement with the video:

“If you recognize or have any information about the suspect in this video please contact the Stamford Police Detective Bureau at 203-977-4417.

“If you should recognize the suspect, do NOT approach — inform the police, or make an anonymous tip by phone or inbox us on our Facebook page, Stamford Police Department CT.

(Photo from attached YouTube video, a copy of one released by Stamford police.)