Clinton police are investigating a $10,000 shoplifting spree and they have arrested two suspects who they said have U.S. Immigration orders to be deported.
Police arrested the two suspects at 5 p.m. Tuesday and said they are accused of being involved in organized retail theft in which around $10,000 worth of merchandise was taken from five stores from Clinton Crossing as well as other retail stores in Connecticut.
Police said they received a call reporting the shoplifters were using “beater bags” and found suspects in a car.
They had small tools to remove anti-theft devices and one suspect tried to punch an officer, according to police.
Authorities used a stun gun to take 30-year-old Manuel Antonio Gutierrez, of Washington, New York, into custody.
The other suspect, identified as 55-year-old Francisco Pantoja, of Queens, New York, ran and was apprehended in the woods behind a home on Glenwood Road, police said.
When police searched the car, they found clothing worth an estimated $10,000.
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Gutierrez was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, organized retail theft, larceny and conspiracy. Police said he was also wanted on a U.S. Immigration deportation order.
Pantoja was charged with Interfering with a police officer, organized retail theft, numerous counts of Larceny and conspiracy. U.S. Immigration also wants him on a deportation order, police said.
