Police Caught Walmart Shoplifting Suspect After He Returned to Crime Scene

A man accused of stealing from the Avon Walmart and getting into a fight with a customer who tried to stop him appeared in Hartford Superior Court last week.

David Pfiffner, 35, of East Granby, who was charged with third-degree assault, sixth-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree robbery for the March 8 incident, has not entered a plea yet.

A public defender has been appointed to his case, which was continued to April 17, according to court records.

When police searched Pfiffner's car the day of the incident, they seized a cigarette/smoking pipe, lighter, grey plastic case, Zig Zag rolling papers, a red container/cylinder metal, Keurig K-cups and coffee machine, an orange extension chord, a keg of Heineken beer, a Poland Springs water jug, a Coleman Powermate combo flashlight multi-tool kit, a 12-pack of Newcastle beer, a Makita cirucuar saw and a black briefcase containing his personal documents, according to court records. The list includes recovered stolen items  and evidence in the case.

Police were called to the store at 12:56 p.m. on March 8 regarding the reported shoplifting incident. As an officer filled out paperwork in his car, Pfiffner returned after driving away in his dark green Subaru and asked him where the bus stop was, Avon police Lt. Kelly Walsh said. After going to the bus stop near the plaza, Pfiffner walked back to the store and lingered near the police car, staring at the recovered briefcase in the front seat, police said.

The officer, noticing he matched the physical description of the reported shoplifter, asked him for identification, Walsh said. Pfiffner responded that he didn't have it because it was in the briefcase in the police car and admitted to stealing the items, police said. Walmart security identified Pfiffner as the person who took merchandise from the store without paying, according to police.

A Canton customer was at Walmart's Redbox machine with his two sons earlier that day before police were called. He heard the store's alarm go off as Pfiffner exited the store with a cart-full of merchandise, according to Walsh. The customer followed Pfiffner into the parking lot and yelled for him to stop.

Pfiffner put the items in the back of his car, police said. The customer ran up to him as he was trying to get into his car, grabbed for his keys and tried to keep the car in park. The two men got into a brief altercation and Pfiffner hit the customer during the fight, police said.

The customer sustained minor injuries from the scuffle and American Medical Response treated him for a contusion on his left leg, Walsh said.

Pfiffner failed to close the trunk to his car and several items fell out as he drove away, including the briefcase, Walsh said.

Pfiffner was released the day of his arrest March 8 after posting a $5,000 non-surety bond.