He is aware of what he likes — and simply takes it.
A serial shoplifter with greater than 200 busts on his rap sheet — and an obvious grudge towards a Publish photographer — is dealing with new theft expenses after cops mentioned he snatched a batch of Modelo beer from one in every of his favourite haunts, a Duane Reade pharmacy on Broadway in Decrease Manhattan.
Laron Mack, 53, who appears to have a style for the Mexican brew, tried to kick photographer Steven Hirsch after his newest arrest this week — a rematch for Mack, who lunged at Hirsch and smashed his digicam after an earlier shoplifting arrest in 2022.
On Wednesday, he was arraigned on petty larceny and possession of stolen property expenses after allegedly attempting to make off with 18 Modelos from the Manhattan retailer on Monday.
He was launched with out bail — as he all the time has been as a result of the fees don’t qualify for bail underneath the state’s controversial 2019 prison justice reform statute.
The scene of the crime is acquainted turf for Mack, who has been pinched on the similar Duane Reade at the least a half dozen instances since April, allegedly making off with sandwiches and his favourite beer.
“Primary promoting beer, however this man simply steals it,” one legislation enforcement supply advised The Publish. “This man’s not stealing meals to feed his household.”
The repeat offender has at the least three different open larceny circumstances pending in Manhattan, together with expenses that he ripped off the pharmacy simply in the future earlier than his newest bust.
In response to sources, he additionally allegedly tried to steal 4 12-packs, 11 eight-packs and two “tall boys” on June 9; 5 circumstances and two 24-packs on Might 7; sandwiches, yogurt and beer on April 18; and, on April 10, extra, you guessed it, Modelo beer from the identical Duane Reade outlet.
To not be solely unique, Mack can also be accused of stealing Charmin rest room paper from a Duane Reade on Amsterdam Avenue, and has been charged with stealing from Walgreen’s as effectively.
“I steal for a dwelling,” he admitted after a June 2022 shoplifting arrest.
He’s additionally not all the time specific after his beer — the June 2022 arrest that led to the assault on Hirsch was for allegedly stealing oatmeal, breakfast sausage and Bud Gentle from an Higher East Facet pharmacy.
Following his launch on theft expenses, Hirsch requested Mack how he was doing, when the accused shoplifter spun round and knocked the digicam out of the photographers palms, punching him within the arm and smashing the tools into the wall.
Regardless of his rap sheet, the courts haven’t been capable of maintain Mack due to the state reforms.
Further reporting by Mikella Schuettler
