Men Accused of Making Faking Returns to Get Store Gift Cards

Two men were arrested Monday for allegedly taking items from a Buckland Road store, then returning them.

According to South Windsor Police, security officer saw two men enter the retail store, take items off of store shelves, then return them fraudulently in exchange for gift cards. The men reportedly then used the store cards to buy other items.

Officers arrested Scott Lewis, 26, of 444 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, and Jerry Ortiz, 32, of 5 Bigelow St., East Hartford, and charged them with sixth-degree larceny.  

Ortiz was released on $2,500 surety bond and scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on Nov. 21. Lewis was held on $5,000 surety bond and will be presented at Manchester Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 12.