Macy's Security Guard Charged in After-Hours Theft

A Macy’s security guard with an apparent taste for pricey preppy apparel was allegedly captured on video surveillance last week bagging more than $4,500 in garments during an after-hours spree, said.

Reinaldo Viera, 21, of 100 Ellington St. in Hartford was turned over to police early Aug. 10 by Macy’s investigators. Viera was allegedly seen on cameras taking 44 Ralph Lauren clothing items from various racks at the Macy's Men’s Store at Westfarms mall.

Viera was arrested at 2 a.m. on charges of third-degree larceny and possession of a shoplifting device, police said. He was released on $10,000 bail and was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 18 in Hartford Superior Court.

A broad selection from the Polo brand, including eight V-neck shirts worth $784, was allegedly stolen in a 30-minute span after about 10:30 p.m., police said. Macy's closes on weeknights at 9:30 p.m.

A police inventory of allegedly stolen attire included eight three-packs of woven boxers valued at $304, five hoodies worth $475, and three short-sleeved “United States Racing Team” shirts that sell for $145 each.

Multiple Polo vests, jackets, collared dress shirts, short- and long-sleeved shirts and baseball caps were also allegedly stolen.

The total value of the merchandise was $4,555.50, police said.

A Macy’s investigator said Viera was a loss prevention associate.

The investigator told police that Viera did not activate an alarm and turned off security cameras after locking the Men’s Store at 10:10 p.m. A Macy’s surveillance team reactivated the cameras before Viera returned to the store through an employee’s entrance, police said.