Shelton police arrested two New York men Saturday after they were allegedly caught stealing clothing from a bin for charity donations.
About 8 p.m. Saturday, police said officers were dispatched to the Shelton Square shopping complex at 898 Bridgeport Ave. to investigate a theft from the “Kid-U-Cation” charity bin in the parking lot.
Officers arrived to find a van packed with donated clothing from the bin.
In a prepared statement, police said several thefts from the bin have been reported in recent months.
Neither the van’s driver, Joaquin Gonzalez, 39, of Lindenhurst, NY, nor his passenger, Mardo Pineda, 23, of Copiague, were affiliated with the charity group.
In addition, Gonzalez did not have a valid driver’s license or insurance, according to police.
Gonzalez was charged with sixth-degree larceny, operating a vehicle without insurance, and operating a vehicle without a license. Pineda was charged with sixth-degree larceny.
Both men were released on written promises to appear at Superior Court in Derby April 27.
