NEW HARTFORD, NY — Some folks learn their lesson the first time. Police say that wasn’t the case here.

According to the New Hartford Police Department, two individuals have been arrested following an investigation into multiple retail theft incidents at the Kohl’s Department Store on Commercial Drive.

It started back on December 10, 2025, when officers responded to a reported larceny. Investigators say Cayla Tennant, 34, and her brother Charles Tennant, 33, both of Rome, entered the store, selected merchandise, and walked out without paying. The total value of the items taken was around $360.

At that point, it could’ve been just another shoplifting case.

But police say it didn’t stop there.

During the course of the investigation, authorities determined that Cayla Tennant was also involved in a second incident at the same location on March 13, 2026. In that case, approximately $240 worth of merchandise was reportedly taken without payment.

That’s when things shifted from a one-time incident to a pattern.

Investigators were able to positively identify both individuals and later located them. Both were taken into custody and processed through the New Hartford Police Department.

Cayla Tennant has been charged with two counts of Petit Larceny under New York State Penal Law §155.25. Charles Tennant is facing one count of Petit Larceny.

Both individuals were released on appearance tickets and are scheduled to return to New Hartford Town Court at a later date.

For a lot of people in the community, cases like this raise a bigger question — when does repeat theft stop being “minor” and start becoming a real problem?

As always, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


Note:

This report may include developing information. Details can change as official updates are released.