WESTPORT — A New York man is accused of orchestrating a merchandise theft-and-return scheme to bilk a local retailer of more than $800.

Movado Thomas, 25, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., was charged with third-degree larceny in connection with the incident.

The theft of merchandise valued at more than $800 from the local HomeGoods store on Post Road East allegedly took place Dec. 14, 2020. After initially being investigated by the store’s theft-prevention staff, the incident was reported to police, who launched a probe Jan. 16, 2021.

The stolen merchandise, according to the report, had been returned to another HomeGoods store, where the suspect was issued a store credit despite lacking a sales receipt.

The suspect used the store credit, plus a credit card, to make purchases at the store — and then later returned that merchandise for a full credit to his credit card.

After issuing search warrants and sharing information with other law-enforcement agencies, police identified Thomas as the suspect. A warrant was issued for Thomas’s arrest and he was taken into custody by Westport police detectives Nov. 16 at Bronx County Court in New York where he was being held.

Thomas was transported to Police Department headquarters where he was formally charged and held on $75,000 bond. He was arraigned the next day at state Superior Court in Stamford.