OXFORD, Conn. — State police say four people are suspected of stealing $1,600 in goods, and the public is reminded to call 911 when they see a crime in progress.
The Oxford Residents Trooper's officer responded to Market 32 in the Quarry Walk Plaza on Oxford Road around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday for reports that a group of individuals had just committed a larceny at the store and fled the area.
A short time earlier, store personnel saw several people filling multiple shopping carts. Their behavior raised alarm to the employees, police said.
The suspects subsequently left the store without paying for the items. They loaded the groceries into two awaiting vehicles parked in the fire lane, according to police.
They allegedly stole $1,600 worth of items such as detergent and paper towels. A larceny of that amount is considered a misdemeanor larceny.
“Information sharing has developed leads that they are most likely going to be trying to sell those items on social media as well as in their communities that they live in,” Resident Trooper Sgt. John Acampora with CT State Police said.
Police said at least two of the suspects have committed other crimes of this kind across Connecticut and outside of the state. Police believe the two vehicles used were stolen.
Police said they’ve identified two of the suspects but can’t release their identities with the investigation ongoing.
“It’s very unusual that anything like that happened here and I guess, while it’s good that it was caught on video so they might be able to get the guys, no one was doing anything about it, they just kind of let it happen,” Vinny Brophy from Beacon Falls said.
Officials noted that a video capturing the incident is circulating on social media, and they are also working to obtain additional surveillance camera footage in an effort to identify the people involved.
The public is reminded that when observing a crime in progress, they should contact 911 immediately.
State Police said no one called 911 when the crime was happening. They were alerted 10 minutes after the crime occurred through a call to their routine line, leaving enough time for the suspects to bolt from the parking lot.
“Had the 911 call came in—we can look at anything in retrospect—it could have been handled much differently. We could have at least attempted to intervene,” Acampora said.
“The main message here is there are three numbers you should know: 911, and that will get action,” George Temple, Oxford’s First Selectman, said.
The investigation into the larceny remains active and ongoing.
“They were organized, they knew what they were doing, they had no plates on the car,” Temple said. “We’re going to redouble our efforts here but I don’t know what more we could have done without knowing.”
Anyone with any information that could aid in identifying those involved, please call the Oxford Resident Trooper’s Office at (203) 888-4353 and reference case number 2100460035.
Elisha Machado is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at emachado@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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