Police: Oxford shoplifters may be linked to other incidents

State police believe a group of thieves who were caught on video stealing cartloads of laundry detergent and other items from an Oxford grocery store this week may be responsible for about a dozen similar incidents.

“This is all over,” said Sgt. John Acampora, of the Oxford resident trooper’s office.

He said state police have recovered a tan minivan in New Haven believed to have been stolen and used in the Oxford incident. The van has been secured and taken to the Troop A barracks, Acampora said.

State police also believe they have identified two of the suspects seen in a video unloading the shopping carts into the van and an SUV outside Market 32 in Oxford on Tuesday.

“Due to this being an open and active investigation, we will not be releasing their identities as of this time,” state police said in a statement on Friday.

A second video has been shared online that appears to show the same group carting several large TVs to a tan minivan parked outside a store in Wallingford. The clip shows the group shoving the TV sets into the back of a tan minivan.

Acampora said the video matches the description of the group and their vehicle. It’s unclear exactly when the video was taken.

Towns targeted in the thefts may include Southington, Danbury, Naugatuck, Ansonia, Clinton and possibly Norwalk, Acampora said.

In addition to laundry detergent and TVs, the group has stolen fish and meats, Acampora said.

“From what we’ve seen, they sell them on social media, flea markets, within their communities,” Acampora said.