2 Mount Vernon Men Charged In $4,000 Theft In West Nyack

Two Mount Vernon men are charged with robbery in connection with the theft of more then $4,000 worth of merchandise from a West Nyack store, according to Clarkstown police.

The incident began as a shoplifting investigation at the Home Depot at Palisades Center mall at about 4 p.m. on Friday but led to robbery charges because one of the men struggled with a store security officer, police said.

Sean Smith, 41, was spotted by security trying to leave with a shopping car full of merchandise worth about $3,000, police said, noting that it was Smith who struggled with security and broke free.

Police said Smith got into a waiting car that was parked, with the engine running, in a fire zone in front of Home Depot. Clarkstown police officers arrived as Smith got in the car, driven by Brian Thompson, 38.

As the two men were arrested, police said they found another $1,000 worth of merchandise from Home Depot in the car.

Smith and Thompson were taken to Clarkstown police headquarters in New City and they were arraigned in Town Court. Smith was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $35,000 bail and Thompson was ordered held at the jail without bail. They face a hearing in Town Court today.

Smith was charged with third-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny, and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Thompson was charged with third-degree robbery and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.