Serial Cigarette Shoplifter Who Hit Many Towns Caught: EH Police

EAST HAVEN, CT — A serial shoplifter, suspected in cigarette thefts in several different towns, including East Haven, North Branford, Wallingford, North Haven, and Monroe was arrested by Branford police and turned over to East Haven police, police announced this weekend.

Arrested, according to East Haven police, was Brian McLaughlin, 32, of Meriden. In East Haven, he is suspected of stealing two carton of cigarettes at the Rite Aid on Main Street in February.

After reviewing surveillance video of the incident, it appeared as though the shoplifting suspect in East Haven theft was the same shoplifting suspect in several other towns including North Branford, Wallingford, North Haven and Monroe, police said.

In those thefts, the suspect, who appeared to have the same distinct physical characteristics, asked for cartons of cigarettes, distracted the employees somehow, then fled with the merchandise without paying, police said.

Still photos were posted to the East Haven Police Department Facebook page, and within an hour, McLaughlin’s name began to surface, police said. Through the investigation, it was learned that McLaughlin currently had four active arrest warrants for larcenies of varying degrees, police said.

McLaughlin was apprehended by the Branford Police Department and turned over to the East Haven Police Department. He is charged with sixth-degree larceny and was released on a $1,000 bond. Mclaughlin is scheduled to face a judge on April 3 in New Haven.

After being processed in East Haven, Mclaughlin was turned over to the Fairfield Police Department for several active arrest warrants out of their jurisdiction, police said.