Somers Man Busted on Robbery, Larceny Charges

A 53-year-old Somers man is being on $100,000 bond following his arrest on robbery and larceny charges in connection with the theft of a backpack blower from Home Depot in Southington.

It was about 10:16 a.m. Jan. 18 when police were called to the store at 1816 Meriden Waterbury Tpk. for a shoplifting incident and a possible altercation in the parking lot, according to Southington Police.

Home Depot Security reported that as they were watching the suspect walk throughout the store, he was seen selecting a backpack blower from the outdoor equipment aisle, police said. After selecting the blower, the suspect allegedly ran out of the front door passing all points of sale without attempting to pay for the blower, police said.

When store security officers stopped the suspect, he “began to struggle with them,” police said.

According to the police report, as security attempted to restrain Russell Sears, he was “shouting to someone to “get the gun” and that he had needles in his pockets.”

When police arrived, Sears was being restrained by security and he was taken into custody by police without further incident. The blower was valued at $429. Police did not find a gun or needles.

Sears was charged with third-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny and second-degree breach of peace.

Police initially held Sears on a $50,000 bond. During his arraignment in state Superior Court in Bristol on Jan. 19, his bond was increased to $100,000, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 26.

Police said Sears also may have had an accomplice who fled in a car before police arrived.

Southington Police photo: Russell Sears.