Tolland County Liquor Store Antics Lead To Warrant Arrest: State Cops

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A 26-Middletown man tried to disguise a paltry purchase at a Tolland County package store into a decent bottle 0f champagne more than three years ago and was arrested last week as a result, state police said. He is also accused of a second liquor-related theft in the county.

The man was charged with sixth-degree larceny last week via a warrant for the Oct. 13, 2022, incident.

According to a warrant, he walked into a package store in Ellington that day an inquired about purchasing some nip-sized tequila bottles. He then asked to be shown several other items, including larger bottle of tequila, pineapple juice and boxed wine, according to a warrant.

After a clerk showed him where the items were, the clerk returned to the counter. He showed up at the counter a short time later and said he'd settle for the nips, according to a warrant. He first tried to pay the $5.41 tab with coins, but did not have enough and, as he switched to a contactless payment via his phone, it appeared that the man was trying to sneak out a larger bottle under clothing, according to a warrant.

It was a bottle of Moet and Chandon rose champagne worth $79.99, according to a warrant.

The man had been fired from a Vernon-based pool company after working there just two months, according to a warrant, and he previously resided in Vernon.

He was also implicated in a theft at a Tolland liquor store in January 2023, according to a warrant.