Teen, 18, Found With Loaded ‘Ghost Gun’ After Shoplifting At Walmart: West Haven Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — An 18-year-old West Haven resident was arrested on several charges after being found with a loaded “ghost gun” during a shoplifting incident at Walmart on Monday night, according to police.

Police responded around 8:30 p.m. to Walmart on Saw Mill Road in West Haven on the report of a shoplifting-in-progress.

It was reported that three men were seen walking around the store, concealing items inside their clothes, according to police.

Police said one of the suspects was found in the vestibule of Walmart. He was taken to the store’s security office by officers and Walmart security without incident, according to police.

Officers recognized the suspect as 18-year-old Kamari Outlaw of West Haven, who police said initially tried to provide a false name, but he was “known to the officers from previous arrests.”

“When Kamari realized he could not deceive the officers with the false name, he then provided his real name,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “Officers were aware from previous encounters that Kamari had previously been found in possession of a firearm or firearm components.

“When asked if he had any weapons on him, Kamari quickly reached toward his waistband as if attempting to retrieve a weapon. Recognizing the potential threat, officers immediately acted to control his hands and prevent access to his waistband. Kamari resisted and began to fight with officers, continuing to try to reach for his waistband but was unsuccessful. After a brief struggle, Kamari was safely taken into custody and placed in handcuffs.

“A search of Kamari’s waistband area revealed a loaded 9mm P-80 ‘ghost gun’ with no serial number and an extended magazine. Additionally, several Oxycodone pills were located in his pockets.”

Outlaw was arrested on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a controlled substance, criminal impersonation, interfering with an officer, assault on an officer, and sixth-degree larceny.

He was held in lieu of a $150,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

“Excellent work by the responding officers for both identifying the suspect and quickly recognizing his attempt to reach for his waistband,” police wrote. “Their awareness and swift actions likely prevented a far more serious outcome.”