Norwalk bodega owner accused of CT tax theft

A Norwalk bodega owner faces criminal charges stemming from the alleged theft of more than $15,000 in state sales tax, authorities say.

Vinod Bechar, 54, of Norwalk, was charged with one count of larceny first degree and four counts of filing false sales tax returns for Neelkanth Inc, operating as Speedy Mart on Roger Square in East Norwalk, the state Department of Revenue Services said Wednesday.

Bechar is free on a $10,000 non-surety bond pending his scheduled Aug. 3 appearance in Hartford Superior Court to answer the charges. He could not be located for comment.

Larceny first degree is a class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both, the agency said.  Filing false tax returns is a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both for each count.