Southington Cops Investigating Thefts At 3 Stores

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington police are investigating a trio of recent thefts at a pair of supermarkets and a big box wholesale club outlet.

Police said one suspect seems to be connected to incidents at Stop & Shop and BJ's Wholesale Club while a Shop Rite theft seems isolated.

Police are asking anyone with any information on the capers to contact them at 860-621-0101.

Here are descriptions of the incidents from police reports:

Stop & Shop, 505 N. Main St.

On Nov. 9 at 11:54 p.m. two men described as being Black and a female described as hispanic the store. All were all wearing masks and showed no identifiable features. The trio loaded a shopping cart with mostly baby diapers and paper towels and attempted to leave the store without paying.

While leaving, the three were asked by a store manager if they paid and one of the men stopped pushing a cart and pushed over the manager, whose head hit the ground. The manager refused transport to a local hospital.

The thieves left in a blue van with no plates. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over on Meriden Avenue, but it increased its speed and officer did not follow.

Shop Rite, 750 Queen St.

On Nov. 7 at 12:39 p.m. a woman described as white with blonde hair wearing a gray sweatshirt, black leggings and glasses threatened to "stick" a store staff member with a needle.

The Woman then fled, leaving merchandise behind.

A store employee witnessed the woman place items into her shopping cart, pass all points of purchase without paying for the merchandise and then walk out of the store. When confronted outside the business, the woman initially denied stealing the merchandise and a "tug of war" ensued over the shopping cart. During the tussle, the woman pulled out a hypodermic needle and threatened to stab the employee if he did not let go of the shopping cart.

The employee was able to retrieve the shopping cart and the woman fled on foot. The cart was "filled to the top" with goods ranging from seafood to meat products valued at $709.96.

BJ’s 75 Spring St.

On Nov. 7, at 7:58 p.m. three men described as Black entered the store together, and left with multiple TVs and sound bars. It was reported that one of the suspects pushed a store employee as he confronted the man as they were leaving the store.

Employees reported observing the men walking toward the door with a dolly loaded with several TVs and electronics. A store employee attempted to stop the men, who quickly exited the store and loaded the electronics into a gold Honda Odyssey, parked directly in front of the store. The suspects then left the scene within minutes.

The same suspects are possibly linked to thefts at other area BJ’s stores.

Here is a surveillance image from ShopRite: