After a lull, car thieves have returned to Westport.
This morning, 3 of them met their match.
At 12:42 a.m., Westport Police responded to a homeowner near Compo Beach, who reported their vehicle was being burglarized. A doorbell camera was activated when a suspect entered a vehicle parked in the driveway. The caller said a dark colored vehicle was waiting in the street for the suspect.
Police arrived on the scene almost immediately, and set up a perimeter at Hillspoint Road, Greens Farms Road and Compo Road South.
An officer located a suspicious vehicle exiting Mimi Lane, and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop.
An officer stationed at Hillspoint Road and Greens Farms Road deployed a tire deflation device (“stop sticks”). The vehicle continued east on Greens Farms Road.
Another officer observed the vehicle entering Sherwood Island State Park. He waited for it to exit, as he knew the gates were closed.
The vehicle became disabled from flat tires as it entered I-95 northbound at Exit 18. All 3 occupants then fled on foot.
Officers gave chase, and located 1 adult and 1 juvenile hiding in the nearby marsh.
A short time later, Metropolitan Transit Authority Police notified Westport Police that they had located the third suspect, a juvenile, in the area of Clayton Street, off Maple Lane.
All 3 were arrested, and charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, 6th degree; conspiracy to commit burglary, 3rd degree; and interfering with a police officer.
The adult — a 19-year-old from Naugatuck — was also charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and engaging in pursuit.
The 2 juveniles were released on summonses to their family. The adult was released after posting bond. He has an April 11 date at Stamford Superior Court.
Westport Police remind residents to lock their vehicles, and take valuables out of their locked cars. They encourage the use of alarm/surveillance systems and exterior lighting at night.
Westport Police thank the Connecticut State Police, Fairfield Police, Wilton Police K-9 Unit, and MTA Police, which assisted with perimeter security and the search for the suspects.
Westport PD gets it done again
Thanks for the article. Great job with a great response. We have to be more diligent in protecting our property.
Thank you to all our police officers
Willie Redd, the 19 yr old arrested has a long criminal arrest record. His father does, too. Search him on https://www.jud.ct.gov/crim.htm
Repeat offenders.
already career criminals.. catch and release does nothing to deter these hoodlums. NYC loss this week is a sad reminder of what happens when there are no consequences for such actions
Westport catches them all.
The state releases them all.
The failed policies rushed through a session in response to an event in another state where poor standards, practices and leadership—dictated and attacked Connecticut’s Police Academy already withstanding high accolade and example setting standards, practices and leadership.
Soft on crime policies are putting innocent civilians and officers in danger. Criminals know the loose laws and use it to their advantage to exploit for fun and even self gains, with zero care.
Gotta make the price too high…Otherwise, why even bother chasing them?
As the Westport Police Department showed in this example, there are safer alternatives to high-speed chases of people suspected of crimes. Below is a link to a more recent case, today’s example of why state law discourages police chases: “Four, Including a Pregnant Teen, Die in Fiery Crash During Police Chase. The state police in Pennsylvania were pursuing the car in connection with thefts in the area.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/25/us/crash-pennsylvania-pregnant-teen.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nE0.kzM7.viq6BmYR75Nj&smid=url-share