UTICA, N.Y. — A 47-year-old Utica man has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of more than 30 pairs of sunglasses valued at nearly $6,300 from Bass Pro Shops in October, according to the Utica Police Department.
The incident occurred on Oct. 21, 2024, when a man reportedly entered the store, filled a bag with sunglasses, and fled without paying. Surveillance footage captured both the theft and the vehicle used in the getaway, which became critical to the investigation, authorities said.
The case was assigned to the Utica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, which worked with the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center and Herkimer County Probation to identify the suspect as Richard Brown.
After weeks of unsuccessful attempts to locate Brown, officers from the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, and Warrants Unit apprehended him on Dec. 23. He now faces charges related to the larceny.
The Utica Police Department credited inter-agency collaboration for the successful resolution of the case.