Police: Teens Snagged for Shoplifting at Bon Ton

Two teens are facing charges after they allegedly tried to shoplift items Wednesday from Bon Ton, according to Hamden Police Spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

At about 4 p.m. Wednesday police got a report of an alleged shoplifter engaged with a store security officer at the store at 2300 Dixwell Ave., Smith said.

A 17-year-old New Haven teen was arrested when officers determined that he had gone into the men's department and removed security tags off of several items of clothing using pliers, Smith said. 

The older teen also tried to assault the store security officer, Smith said, and had the pliers in his possession.

A second boy, a 15-year-old from Hamden, acted as the older youth's lookout, Smith said, and also was arrested when officers found him in the vestibule of the Wells Fargo Bank. 

The 17-year-old New Haven resident was charged with third-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny and possession of a shoplifting device. 

The 15-year-old Hamden resident was charged with conspiracy to commit third-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to possess a shoplifting device.

Both are scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on Nov. 13. 

Detective Brian Stewart conducted the investigation, Smith said.