HARLEM – A shoplifter hit an East Harlem Target store twice last week and stole more than $2,500 in electronics and clothes to support his drug habit, police said.
James Winn, 39, entered the Target, at 517 E. 117th St., on July 17 at around 8 p.m. and began stuffing his bag with 13 electronic items from the store shelves, according to police.
The store’s Loss Prevention Officer noticed Winn on camera leaving the store with the items, according to the criminal complaint.
The electronics, which were not itemized in the complaint, totaled about $1,118 dollars, according to police.
Two days later, on July 19, Winn visited the store again and stuffed a bag with clothes, electronics and a car accessory — all of which totaled $1,442, according to police.
The store’s security officer then confronted Winn.
“I have a drug problem and need to support my habit,” Winn told the Target worker, according to police.
Winn was charged with two counts of first-degree grand larceny and one count of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. He was arraigned on July 20 and bail was set at $15,000 bond or $7,500 cash.
A lawyer representing Winn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
