The theft happened in Hartford County on Saturday, Feb. 18 around 3 p.m., when police in South Windsor responded to the Target at 125 Buckland Hills Dr. for a reported ongoing shoplifting incident, according to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon.
Once arriving at the store, officers stopped 67-year-old Richard Hazeldine of Springfield outside the main entrance and found him in possession of $617.87 worth of stolen items, as well as a magnet used to remove security cases from some of the items he had taken, Cleverdon said.
Hazeldine allegedly gave officers a false name when he was taken into custody.
After police discovered the stolen items and the magnet, Hazeldine was arrested and charged with the following:
- Fifth-degree larceny;
- Illegal possession of shoplifting device;
- Interfering with an officer's investigation.
Hazeldine was processed and released on a $2,500 surety bond and will appear in Manchester Superior Court on Wednesday, March 8.
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