Teen charged with robbery, credit card theft after 78-year-old woman was carjacked in Shelton

An 18-year-old man was charged with robbery and credit card theft following an April incident where a 78-year-old woman was reportedly carjacked after leaving a Big Y in Shelton, police said.

Devonte Beamon, 18, of New Haven was arrested on a warrant on Friday and charged with second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, theft of a credit card and conspiracy to commit theft of a credit card, according to the Shelton Police Department.

On April 7, a 78-year-old Shelton woman was leaving the Big Y at 401 Bridgeport Ave. around 7:15 p.m. when a vehicle waiting in the parking lot reportedly followed her out of the plaza, police said. A short time later, that vehicle reportedly hit her car and the occupants encouraged her to get out of her car to inspect the damage. When she did, one of the occupants reportedly jumped in her vehicle and both vehicles drove off, according to police.

Shelton police contacted surrounding towns to be on alert for the stolen car. The New Haven Police Department was able to locate and stop the vehicle a short time later, Shelton police said. Beamon and a 16-year-old suspect were taken into custody for being in possession of the victim’s vehicle.

The 16-year-old was charged in connection with the incident on April 10 and referred to New Haven Juvenile Court, police said.

Investigators learned that items purchased using the victim’s credit card were located inside the vehicle during the follow-up investigation, and an arrest warrant was issued for Beamon, according to police.

Beamon was being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on Monday.