Crime & Safety

Police: Two Theft Attempts In One Day at TJ MAXX

Police say the presence of a loss prevention officer led to the dual arrests.

The TJ MAXX retail outlet at Sand Hill Plaza on South Main was the target of two similar — but unrelated — shoplifting attempts on the same day, according to Newtown Police.

Police arrested Hugo Viera, 49, of Danbury at about 10:45 a.m. Security personnel said he'd taken the security tags of an $80 item and was walking out the door when they caught him. Viera was released on a $50 bond.

Later that day, toward the end of the day shift, a security agent at the store called police to say they'd taken Jason Minsu Kim, 23, of Brookfield into custody. Kim was accused of cutting the security and price tags off a $200 coat and bringing it to the front counter "as if it had been bought."

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Kim was booked for 6th degree larceny and released from police custody on $50 bond. Both suspects will appear in court December 6.

Police told Patch the store's loss prevention officer was present Wednesday, resulting in higher scrutiny toward shoplifting attempts.

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