State police in Montville nab suspected serial shoplifter

Greg Smith, The Day, New London, Conn.
·1 min read

Jul. 2—An East Haven man suspected of shoplifting thousands of dollars worth of items from at least three eastern Connecticut retailers was arrested again this week, this time by state police.

Manuel Q. Rivera, 52, was charged Monday by state police with fourth-degree larceny in the June 1 theft of cologne and perfume from Ulta at 160 River Road in Lisbon. Police said Rivera loaded a basket with about $1,635 worth of goods. Police said he told a store employee "he was taking these items and was sorry but to call police if she had to."

State police at Troop E in Montville posted a photo of Rivera to its Facebook page. Police said Rivera had a black cast on one arm and was wearing a high-visibility safety vest at the time of the alleged theft.

Old Saybrook police contacted state police to report they recognized Rivera from a shoplifting arrest at Walmart on June 11. Police said Rivera had a black cast and was wearing a reflective vest in that robbery.

Rivera and another man are suspects in the theft of $781 worth of electronic gaming accessories and action figures from Target on June 8. A post on the Waterford police Facebook page shows a man wearing a reflective vest with a black cast on his arm.

Records show Rivera remains held on a $35,000 bond for a June 19 arrest by Milford police and faces charges of robbery, larceny and assault.