Shoplifters Fight Over Nearly $580 Worth Of Stolen Meat In Stop & Shop Parking Lot: Wallingford PD

WALLINGFORD, CT — Two men were arrested and another got away after police said they were fighting in the parking lot over nearly $580 worth of stolen meat products from Stop & Shop in Wallingford on Thursday night.

Officers responded around 9:20 p.m. on April 30 to a report of a fight in the Stop & Shop parking lot at 930 North Colony Road, where someone displayed a knife, according to police.

Police said officers found that three men were involved in the incident.

One of the men fled in a red Nissan Altima and the other two fled on foot, according to police.

Police said an investigation found that the men shoplifted approximately $576 of meat products from Stop & Shop, then “got into an argument over the stolen merchandise in the parking lot,” according to a news release.

“During the fight, the stolen product was scattered over the parking lot,” police wrote in the news release.

After learning the direction that the two men who ran from the scene were heading, police said one was found hiding inside the 99 Restaurant at 914 North Colony Road and the other was found near Cumberland Farms.

Both were arrested and taken to Wallingford Police Headquarters for processing. One man “refused to cooperate and would not identify himself during the investigation,” according to police.

Police said he was later identified as 37-year-old Elizaul Smith, who had active warrants for his arrest.

Smith, of Rocky Hill, was charged with fifth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, and interfering with an officer.

Robert Coman, 39, of Putnam, was arrested and charged with fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny.

Police said the man who fled in the Altima was not apprehended.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wallingford Police Department at 203-294-2800.