Police Arrest Man Whose Shoplifting Sidekick is a 10 Year Old Kid

Clinton Police descended upon the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets yesterday, April 7, due to an initial altercation between an alleged shoplifter and another shopper. 

What they found during the investigation was more than $1,200 of stolen goods in the alleged shoplifter's vehicle and on his person.

It resulted in the arrest of Waterbury resident Michael Savage, 45.

Savage was found to be using the services of a 10-year old minor child who was, according to police, the child of a family friend and had permission to travel with Savage. 

It began when Clinton Police officer Jason Frey, who was on duty and at the mall, observed a verbal altercation between Savage and a shopper. When Frey intervened, the shopper told him that Savage had taken a newly-purchased item from their bag and handed the item to a kid who ran off with it in hand.

According to police, Savage was found to be in possession of a bag with numerous suspected stolen items and a tool used to remove anti-theft devices from clothing. 

Savage was not cooperate with police, it was noted. After some time, it was determined that Savage had a vehicle in the parking lot. According to police, they located the vehicle which contained the 10-year old child and the described stolen jacket from the altercation with the shopper, along with other suspected stolen goods. 

The juvenile was identified and the child's mother was contacted, said police. The child was turned over to the mother. 

Savage was charged and held on a $50,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court April 8.  He was charged with larceny in the 4th degree (shoplifting); risk of injury and impairing the morals of a child; possession of a shoplifting device; breach of peace; and interfering with an officer. 

Through further investigation and interviews, police determined that the juvenile was assisting Savage with the alleged shoplifting. Police were able to check surveillance video in the stores.