Police: Brookyln Shoplifters Caught at Mall

Two Brooklyn men in their early 20s were arrested within minutes of each other in different White Plains retail stores after police say they tried to use aluminum foil to steal high-end clothing.

Police wouldn't confirm that the two were working together, but given the similarity of the crimes and close proximity, it is something they are looking into, said White Plains Police Detective Lt. Eric Fischer.

The first incident took place at about 6:25 p.m., when police responded to a foot pursuit of suspected shoplifter running down Bloomingdale Avenue. Security at , 135 Westchester Avenue, believed the man had stolen three shirts before taking off running.

As officers chased the suspect down Bloomingdale Avenue, they say he tossed three shirts into nearby bushes. Police later recovered two $250 Burberry button-down shirts and a $95 Lacoste polo.

Police caught the suspect, 22, at the intersection of Maple and Bloomingdale Avenue, where he was arrested. Police say they later found several strips of aluminum foil in the suspect’s pockets and around the dumped clothing. Police believe the foil was used to keep security alarms from going off as the suspect left the store, reports said.

Police charged the suspect with criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny and possession of burglar's tools, all misdemeanors. He was held on $1,200 bail.

About 10 minutes later police responded to a similar incident in the same mall, this time at where they say another Brooklyn man attempted to steal clothing.

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Store security told police the man, 20, concealed two shirts and a pair of jeans in his pants before trying to leave the store. The suspect was stopped and security told police they recovered the clothing—a $195 Polo shirt, a $180 Moncler shirt and a $319 pair of True Religion jeans—from under the man's pants.

Police also found three pieces of foil in the man's jacket pocket. Aaccording to arrest reports, the suspect admitted th foil was used to prevent the store's alarm from functioning.

The man was charged with petit larceny and possession of burglar tools, misdemeanors and held on $500 bail.

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