Colonie

A man they've dubbed the "Bubble Gum Bandit" snatched $3,000 worth of chewing gum from the candy aisle at the Market Bistro, and the loot gets sold at corner stores, police said.

Twice this month, the man casually pushed a cart through the front door of the supermarket at 873 Loudon Road. The goods were in a plastic bag, and he "walked out like he belonged there," Lt. Robert Winn said.

The first time, on March 3, he left with $1,356 worth of gum, and returned a week later, March 10, leaving with $1,695 worth of gum, batteries, baby formula and deodorant.

"The safe bet is that it is slated to head to the corner market or convenience stores," Winn said. "It's a new one on us, but chewing gum has value like anything else."

Razor blades, batteries and small medical supplies like insulin strips are often popular among professional shoplifters because they can be easily resold, according to Winn, who estimated that shoplifters can fence stolen items for 40 to 50 percent of what they sell for in stores and then the retailer can resell them for the retail price or more.

Colonie police shared surveillance pictures of the bandit and descriptions of his modus operandi with area police agencies, but none of them had investigated similar thefts or recognized the man from their own cases, Winn said.

Store security recognized the man when he returned to the store on Tuesday. When he tried to take $1,060 worth of gum, store employees confronted him. He took off without the gum.

Police describe him as 5-foot-10 to 6-feet tall,180 pounds with dark hair and facial hair, and about 30 years old.

Another man was with the bandit during one visit to the store but no theft occurred.

Police said they want to talk to that man because he may be able to identify the Bubble Gum bandit.

Anyone with information about the men can call town police at 783-2754.