31-Year-Old Woman Charged In Southington TJ Maxx Theft

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A 31-year-old homeless woman has been charged with filling up a hamper in a shopping cart at TJ Maxx in town and leaving with merchandise last month.

According to the Southington Police Department, Amanda Stuart, 31, who is described as being "homeless," was taken into custoday Thursday via a warrant and charged with fifth-degree larceny and possession of a shop lifting device.

She was being held by Southington police on $8,000 bond and was expected in New Britain Superior Court on Friday, May 19.

Police said Stuart was charged in connection with a shoplifting incdent on March 26 at the TJ Maxx, 875 Queen St., Southington.

Police said Stuart was reported by the store's loss prevention department and recorded on store surveillance entering the store at 8 p.m. that day.

Stuart was reported to have been witnessed inside the store pushing a shopping cart containing a laundry hamper, which she filled with several store items before exiting the store, police said.

Surveillance aptured Stuart walking throughout the store, placing items inside and on top of the hamper, according to the SPD.

Police said, during the thefts, Stuart was seen manipulating the anti-theft devices on two women’s handbags, using a device she carried into the store, allowing her to disable the device and steal the handbags.

Southington Police placed a surveillance photo of Stuart on Facebook, which resulted in an anonymous tip, received April 12, positively identifying her for the Southington incident.

Stuart, police said, was also linked to cases pending with the Plainville Police Department, Florence County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina and Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department in Vermont.