GUILDERLAND — A young man arrested in Crossgates Mall last week for shoplifting had a loaded, sawed-off shotgun in his book bag, according to the Guilderland Police.

On April 15, Marcelle Chandler, 16, of 424 Elk St., Albany, took two Polo shirts from Macy’s and put them in a shopping bag; Macy’s security apprehended him in another store, said Captain Curtis Cox, of the Guilderland Police.

Officers searched Chandler’s backpack, and found a loaded, sawed off shotgun; Chandler did not make any threats toward anyone, Cox said.

“He said he had the gun for his personal protection,” said Cox, who described a sawed-off shotgun as one where the muzzle is less than 18 inches in length.

Chandler was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D felony, and petit larceny, Class A misdemeanor.

Cox said Chandler was charged as an adult and sent to Albany County’s jail.

— Anne Hayden