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New Hartford Police seeking alleged identity, wallet thief

Bought $3,000 worth of gift cards

NEW HARTFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — New Hartford Police are seeking the public’s help for the whereabouts of a man connected with a pair of December purse snatchings.

According to police, in December 2023, officers responded to two different incidents of women claiming their wallets were stolen from their purses.

The first incident occurred at the Hannaford Supermarket on Kellogg Road, while the other happened at the Aldi supermarket on Seneca Turnpike. It was reported that the suspect — 42-year-old Franco Celso Huamani-Tito of South America — would allegedly use a distraction-style approach with a female accomplice.

The female would allegedly distract the shoppers, while Huamani-Tito allegedly stole the wallet in their purses. The pair then fled the store and immediately went to area retail establishments. Police say the pair allegedly purchased over $3,000 in gift cards with the stolen credit cards.

After a three-month investigation conducted by the New Hartford Police and several other departments with similar cases, Huamani-Tito was positively identified as the thief.

According to police, Huamani-Tito is also allegedly in the country illegally.

The New Hartford Police currently have an arrest warrant for Huamani-Tito on the following charges:

  • Two counts of first-degree Identity Theft, a Class D Felony,
  • Two counts of third-degree Grand Larceny, a Class D Felony, and
  • Two counts of fourth-degree Grand Larceny, a Class E Felony.

Huamani-Tito is currently being sought by the New Hartford Police Department, as well at the Syracuse Police Department and the New York State Police on felony warrants.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Huamani-Tito, you are asked to call one of the following numbers:

  • New Hartford Police: 315-733-6666
  • Syracuse Police: 315-442-5200
  • New York State Police Troop D: 315-366-6000

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