New Haven Man Facing Attempted Larceny Charges

A New Haven man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly tried to claw open a cash register at Walmart.

At about 8:15 p.m. Hamden Police received a report of a larceny in progress at in the Hamden Mart, police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith said.

When Officer John Glass got there, he found Jeffrey Dancey, who was walking away from the store through the parking lot, and took him into custody.

The investigation found that Dancey allegedly approached an unattended cash register and attempted to open it, Smith said.

"Upon failing, he proceeded to retrieve 2 claw hammers from the shelf. He then returned to the cash register and attempted to force it open," he said. When that failed, he put the hammers back and left, Smith said, which is when police caught up with him.

Dancey, 46, of 400 Elm Street, Apt. 2B, New Haven, was charged with criminal attempt to commit sixth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief.

Dancey was held in lieu of $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court Feb. 20.