Darien police charge Stamford woman with larceny

Marie Johnson, 53, of Stamford was arrested on a charge of two counts of sixth-degree larceny on Friday, Oct. 19.

Police said she was charged in connection with two different shoplifting incidentss that occurred at Palmer's Market, 246 Heights Road, on Aug .13 and Sept. 10.

On Aug. 13, police said, the cashier observed Johnson acting suspiciously while in the store, and a subsequent review of the video system captured a female placing an item from the health and beauty aisle into a reusable shopping bag. The female did not pay for this item when checking out, according to police.

On Sept. 10, after being apprised of the cashier's observation, police said, management observed Johnson place some items into a reusable bag and then put the bag, along with other items, into a shopping basket. When checking out, Johnson paid for the items in the basket, but did not pay for the items in the shopping bag, according to police.

Police said Johnson was confronted by store management and it was determined that she had not paid for two grocery items valued at $25.78. When approached by store management Johnson became emotional so she was allowed to leave the store, according to police.

Police said Johnson left in her vehicle, but not before her registration information was recorded. A check of the vehicle's registration revealed that it belonged to Johnson, according to police.

Police said numerous attempts to contact Johnson by telephone were made, but all calls went unanswered. Subsequently, police compared Johnson's driver's license photo to the subject depicted on the store's video surveillance system and they matched, according to police.

Johnson surrendered at police headquarters. She was released on a written promise to appear in court on Monday, Oct. 29.