Hamden police arrested a suspected shoplifter at a Wal-Mart store who is also accused of shoving security staff.
Police responded to the store on Saturday afternoon to investigate a shoplifting and physical altercation and were told the shoplifter was running toward Dixwell Avenue.
Moments later, Officer Dennis Putnam arrested a suspect, Cornelius Green, 52, of New Haven, and said he had a stolen tool in his possession.
Police said Green removed an alarm clock from the shelf and returned it with a receipt that he had in his pocket, then pushed a security officer who approached him and fled from the store.
Green was charged with robbery in the third degree, larceny in the sixth degree, possession of a shoplifting device and breach of peace.
Green, who was detained at police headquarters on a $5,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on Dec. 29.