Police said store security officers saw Lee Elbert Best, 51, of Woodend Road, put the gum in a plastic trash can and leave the store around 1:30 p.m.. Town police found him at a Tunxis Hill Road bus stop, police said.
Best was charged with sixth-degree larceny and warned not to return to the Villa Avenue store, police said. He was released on a promise to appear in court on Oct. 7.
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