Police: Walmart Shoplifter Flees After Parking Lot Scuffle

A Canton customer at the Avon Walmart's Redbox machine last week chased after a person he noticed leaving the store with merchandise he didn't pay for, police said.

Police charged David M. Pfiffner, 35, of East Granby, with third-degree assault, sixth-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree robbery on March 8.

Pfiffner pushed a cart-full of products out of the store and put them into his car, Avon police Lt. Kelly Walsh said. A good Samaritan ran after him, yelled at him and tried to take his keys so he couldn't drive away with the stolen goods.

They got into a "small physical altercation," Walsh said. The "good Samaritan," who was in his late 30s, fell to his knees during the scuffle, scraping his left leg, Walsh said.

Pfiffner drove away after the scuffle and police were called to the store at 12:56 p.m., police said. He returned to the location after driving around the parking lot a few times and spoke to police officers who were on scene. He was cooperative with police, Walsh said.

There were no weapons involved in the situation and the robbery charge is due to the physical altercation, according to police. Police recovered about $300-worth of merchandise from the vehicle, Walsh said.

Pfiffner was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on March 20.