Shoplifter Scratched Security Staff in Face: Police

A shoplifter arrested in Hamden last night is accused of scratching a security officer who was trying to stop her from stealing hundreds of dollars worth of items from a local store.

At 4:30 p.m., a shoplifting with violence was reported at the BonTon, at 2300 Dixwell Avenue.

Police said store security staff had seen Crystal Austin, 43, of New Haven, leave the store with $408 in items she had not paid for, so a security officer approached her, police said.

Austin became combative and scratched the security officer in the face, police said, so officers arrested her and transported her to police headquarters, where she was charged with robbery in the third degree and larceny in the second degree.

Austin was detained on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on December 4.

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