UTICA, NY — A man with a history of retail thefts is facing felony burglary charges after being caught shoplifting again at a South Utica grocery store from which he had previously been banned, according to the Utica Police Department.
Officers were dispatched to the Price Chopper on April 30 after Loss Prevention Associates reported seeing a man conceal merchandise in a book bag. The suspect, Milton Spinks, 55, of Utica, had previously been arrested multiple times for larceny and had received a formal ban letter prohibiting him from entering the property.
Police said Spinks had been observed at the same store committing thefts on several occasions in recent days. He was located later that same day and taken into custody.
Spinks is now charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and two counts of petit larceny. The charges are part of a new effort by Utica Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office to escalate charges for repeat offenders who continue to violate property bans.
Local retailers, police crack down on repeat offenders
In response to increasing retail theft, the Utica Police Department has partnered with local businesses and the District Attorney’s Office to address persistent larceny incidents. The new approach aims to charge banned individuals with higher-level offenses such as burglary when they return and commit new crimes.
Officials say recent bail reform laws have led to repeat offenders receiving appearance tickets and quickly returning to steal again. The revised strategy is designed to deter ongoing retail crime by imposing more serious legal consequences.
Authorities say the goal is to ensure safety and restore a secure environment for shoppers and employees at area retail locations. No further details about Spinks’ court date were immediately released.
