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Akanilli Dekattu, 23, of Brooklyn, and Tequan Robinson, 20, of New York City, were arrested on Sunday, Feb. 9, after Fairfield Police responded to a call from the store on Villa Avenue regarding the two men shoplifting large amounts of health and beauty products, said Fairfield Police.
Several officers responded to the store and were outside when Dekattu and Robinson exited carrying a large black bag. After seeing the officers, both men fled, police said.
Robinson attempted to run to a vehicle in the parking lot, however, officers were able to take him into custody. As Robinson was being placed into the rear of a patrol vehicle, he spit at one of the arresting officers.
Dekattu was taken into custody near the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot at 200 Tunxis Hill Road.
Inside the vehicle, officers located a second bag with a large amount of health and beauty care merchandise which had been stolen from another Stop & Shop.
Police determined the two had taken $1,804.49 worth of merchandise from the store. The stolen merchandise found in their vehicle was valued at $616.61, police said.
Both men are believed to be members of a larger organized retail theft ring responsible for numerous incidents that began in January at Stop & Shop locations in New York and Connecticut, police said.
This retail theft ring is believed to have caused Stop & Shop a total loss of over $30,000.
Dekattu was charged with organized retail theft, two counts of larceny, shoplifting, conspiracy to commit larceny, interfering with an officer.
Robinson was charged organized retail theft, two counts of larceny, shoplifting, conspiracy to commit larceny, assault of an officer, and interfering with an officer.
Both posted a $10,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20.
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