Crime & Safety
Police: Alleged Shoplifter Threatened to Stab Pharmacy Employees With a Syringe
Sean Griffin, 25, of Hartford, faces numerous charges.
A Hartford man who allegedly attempted to shoplift laundry detergent from a West Hartford Walgreens is facing a number of charges after he threatened to stab store employees with a syringe on Tuesday.
According to West Hartford Chief of Police Tracey Gove, Sean Griffin, 25, attempted to take four 32-ounce bottles of Tide from the pharmacy located at 674 Farmington Ave.
Employees witnessed Griffin taking the detergent out of the store and asked Griffin to stop. When he refused, an employee attempted to take the detergent out of Griffin’s hands. Griffin swung his hand - which still held the detergent - at the employee, Gove said.
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A struggle ensued, during which Griffin said that he had a needle in his right hand and was going to stab the employee, Gove said.
Police then arrived on scene. A subsequent search revealed that Griffin did not have a syringe in his possession, Gove said.
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Griffin was charged with third-degree robbery, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening and sixth-degree larceny. He was initially held on $50,000 bond and was arraigned on Aug. 21. His bond was subsequently increased to $75,000.
His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 26.
According to the state judicial website, Griffin has several cases pending against him.
He was charged in June 2013 with illegal possession of narcotics, sale of illegal drugs and possession of less than ½ an ounce of marijuana. In a separate incident, Griffin was charged with sixth-degree larceny.
In May, Griffin was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under suspension.
He also has several prior convictions, according to the state judicial website.
In January 2011, Griffin pleaded guilty to use of a motor vehicle without permission and second-degree failure to appear. He was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended, and 18 months of probation.
Griffin in April 2011 pleaded guilty to a sixth-degree larceny charge and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, suspended, and one year of probation.
In April 2012, Griffin pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct and was sentenced again to 90 days in jail, suspended, and one year of probation.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
