PD: Career Criminal Pinched 120 Bottles of Nail Polish Worth $870

A city man with a long record of arrests was charged again last week after police say he shoplifted 102 bottles of nail polish valued at nearly $870.

On April 18 at 9:04 p.m., Marco Gonzalez, 42, of Hillside Avenue was at CVS on Washington Street and loss prevention officers witnessed him taking 102 bottles of nail polish without paying, worth a total of $865.98 without tax, according to police.

The report says he stuffed two different brands of polish — Sally Hansen and Essie — into his sweatshirt which was tucked into his pants. 

Police say Gonzalez admitted he was shoplifting and never intended to pay for the nail polish. He was charged with fifth-degree larceny and is free on a $10,000 non-surety bond and due back in court on May 1.

His record includes offenses:

• On March 2, 2012, sixth-degree larceny — Meriden Police turned him over to Middletown for an outstanding warrant. He is a convicted felon with numerous failures to appear, the report indicated.
• March 14, 2012, operating under suspension in Meriden
  
• Aug. 28, 2012, disorderly conduct — He fought with his brother-in-law Ismael Guzman, 48, of Hillside Avenue after using his car lighter for a cigarette, the report says, and they pushed and swung fists at each other. Guzman's shirt was ripped from the neck down. Both were charged. 
  
• Sept. 30, 2012, larceny in Meriden
• On Aug. 29, 2011, fifth-degree larceny — At CVS on East Main Street, he was observed by a loss prevention officer taking three items and concealing them in his waistband, totaling $160. His record showed 27 arrests at the time.
• Feb. 21, 2013, sixth-degree larceny — At 4:14 p.m., he was at Rite Aid on Main Street when loss prevention saw him hide $393 worth of items, according to the report.