Beer-loving NYC shoplifter with over 200 busts at it again — but quickly set free
A serial shoplifter with more than 200 busts on his rap sheet — and an apparent grudge against a Post photographer — is facing new theft charges after cops said he snatched a batch of Modelo beer from one of his favorite haunts, a Duane Reade pharmacy on Broadway in Lower Manhattan.
Laron Mack, 53, who seems to have a taste for the Mexican brew, tried to kick photographer Steven Hirsch after his latest arrest this week — a rematch for Mack, who lunged at Hirsch and smashed his camera after an earlier shoplifting arrest in 2022.
4 Laron Mack, 53, took a kick at Post photographer Steven Hirsch after his arrest this week — their second encounter.
Steven Hirsch
On Wednesday, he was arraigned on petty larceny and possession of stolen property charges after allegedly trying to make off with 18 Modelos from the Manhattan retailer on Monday.
He was released without bail — as he always has been because the charges don't qualify for bail under the state's controversial 2019 criminal justice reform statute.
The scene of the crime is familiar turf for Mack, who has been pinched at the same Duane Reade at least a half dozen times since April, allegedly making off with sandwiches and his favorite beer.
'Number one selling beer, but this guy just steals it,' one law enforcement source told The Post. 'This guy's not stealing food to feed his family.'
The repeat offender has at least three other open larceny cases pending in Manhattan, including charges that he ripped off the pharmacy just one day before his latest bust.
4 Laron Mack smashed the camera of Post photographer Steven Hirsch in 2022 — and tried to kick him this week.
Steven Hirsch
4 Police said Laron Mark has repeatedly stolen Modelo beer from Manhattan retailers, seemingly his favorite beer.
Steven Hirsch
According to sources, he also allegedly tried to steal four 12-packs, 11 eight-packs and two 'tall boys' on June 9; five cases and two 24-packs on May 7; sandwiches, yogurt and beer on April 18; and, on April 10, more, you guessed it, Modelo beer from the same Duane Reade outlet.
Not to be entirely exclusive, Mack is also accused of stealing Charmin toilet paper from a Duane Reade on Amsterdam Avenue, and has been charged with stealing from Walgreen's as well.
'I steal for a living,' he admitted after a June 2022 shoplifting arrest.
He's also not always particular after his beer — the June 2022 arrest that led to the attack on Hirsch was for allegedly stealing oatmeal, breakfast sausage and Bud Light from an Upper East Side pharmacy.
4 Laron Mack, 53, has more than 200 arrests on his record, primarily for shoplifting in Manhattan.
Steven Hirsch
Following his release on robbery charges, Hirsch asked Mack how he was doing, when the accused shoplifter spun around and knocked the camera out of the photographers hands, punching him in the arm and smashing the equipment into the wall.
Despite his rap sheet, the courts haven't been able to hold Mack because of the state reforms.
Additional reporting by Mikella Schuettler
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New York Post
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