Thanks to video technology, a man suspected of swiping three bottles of expensive vodka on Feb. 6, at Nichols Discount Liquor store in Liverpool, has been identified.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Michael Bertrand, 55, who allegedly stole three bottles of Grey Goose vodka from the store at 301 First St. He can be seen on the store video recorded that Wednesday afternoon stuffing the bottles down his pants before stopping at the cash register to pay for an inexpensive liqueur bottle. The cost of the stolen bottles was about $125.
Bertrand’s last known address was in Syracuse, but police believe he’s presently homeless.
“He’s on the move,” said Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris. When Bertrand’s located, he’ll be charged with petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, according to the chief.
The store’s surveillance video clearly shows Bertrand’s movements in the shop’s right rear corner. As he approaches the camera, his face is distinctly visible.
At the Feb. 19 meeting of the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees, Morris praised the efforts of WSYR-TV NewsChannel 9, the local ABC-TV affiliate, for airing the Nichols video on its newscasts on Feb. 6 and 7.
“[WSYR-TV] reporter Christie Casciano did a great job to help us get our suspect identified,” Morris said. “That video was a great resource and putting it on the local news means that the more eyes that see it, the better chance we have of finding the guy.”
Mike Hennigan, who owns Nichols Discount Liquors along with Nichols Supermarket at 327 First St., also thanked NewsChannel 9 for its interest in the case.
“With Channel 9 airing the video,” Hennigan said, “hopefully we can find this guy so he doesn’t do it to other stores.”
Forty-one parking tickets issued
Via a memo Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris informed the village board of trustees at their Feb. 19 meeting that officers issued 130 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws during January. In addition, five warning tickets were issued for minor motor-vehicle violations.
Three arrests were made for driving while intoxicated, 13 traffic accidents were investigated and 41 parking tickets were issued.
Officers made 219 residential checks during the month while investigating a total of 312 complaints.
During January, LPD officers arrested 24 individuals on a total of 38 criminal charges.
