Troopers: Clifton Park hardware store theft suspect located after similar Albany County incidents

CLIFTON PARK – State police have arrested a Colonie man in connection with two Clifton Park hardware store thefts after his arrest in similar thefts in Albany County, troopers said Monday.

State police arrested Shawn Lawless, 62, of Colonie, Friday and charged him with third-degree grand larceny and attempted third-degree grand larceny, both felonies.

He is accused of thefts from an Ace Hardware Dec. 1 and a Tractor Supply Dec. 3, both in Clifton Park, state police said.

He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and criminal trespass, state police said.

Troopers zeroed in on Lawless after similar thefts at Robinson’s Hardware in the town of New Scotland, state police said.

In that case, two men were seen after hours taking a log splitter and two generators on two trips there Nov. 22, state police said.

The same individuals also stole a snow blower on Dec. 3, state police said. Troopers arrived to find Lawless and the second man, Michael Barone, 49, of Watervliet, at the store, police said.

Troopers also determined Lawless’ SUV had stolen license plates, they said.

Barone was charged with one count of criminal possession of stolen property, three counts of petty larceny and three counts of criminal trespass, all misdemeanors.

Lawless was charged in that case with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, felonies, along with two counts of misdemeanor stolen property possession, one count of petty larceny and three counts of trespass.