Repeat shoplifter in utica charged with burglary after violating store ban
Police car - File photo

Repeat shoplifter in Utica charged with burglary after violating store ban

Posted by
1 min read
May 2, 2025
A man banned from Price Chopper is now facing felony burglary charges after allegedly returning to steal again.

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.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Breaking News

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version