MONROE, CT — Three Bridgeport juveniles, allegedly involved in a strong armed carjacking and purse snatching at the Westfield Trumbull shopping mall, fled in a Ford Bronco on May 19, leading to three crashes in Monroe, one involving an empty school bus, before officers stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver that afternoon.
At 4:24 p.m., Monroe officers received a complaint of an erratic 2022 Bronco with one flat tire. It was later seen on Route 25, cutting off and hitting other vehicles.
Police were notified that the vehicle was stolen in the carjacking at the mall earlier in the day. Monroe officers spotted the vehicle and activated overhead emergency lights and sirens, but the driver refused to stop, according to the report.
Trumbull police officers in marked cruisers and members of the Bridgeport Regional Auto Theft Task Force positioned themselves at the route 25 and 111 intersection, keeping it free of traffic.
The task force deployed stop sticks, causing the driver of the Bronco to lose control, before coming to a stop in a grassy area on the north shoulder of the northbound lane. Two juveniles got out of the vehicle, hopped a fence and ran into a wooded area behind a home on Old Mine Road, police said.
Monroe officers and K-9 Riggs joined with Trumbull officers in quickly apprehending the two suspects without incident.
The driver was taken to the Trumbull Police Department to be charged for the incident at the mall and was then brought to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries.
Police responded to complaints of three hit-and-run crashes in Monroe, one in the area of Route 25 and Pepper Street, another in the area of Route 25 and Purdy Hill Road and the third involving a school bus, which fortunately had no children aboard, in the area of routes 111 and 25.
The driver was issued juvenile summonses for engaging police in pursuit, operating a motor vehicle without a license, three counts of evading responsibility, and three counts of illegal passing in a no passing zone.
He was released to a guardian. Police said there may be more charges from several other towns.
Red Bull thief strikes again
An employee of Cumberland Farms, 455 Main St., recognized a man who stole Red Bull from the store on May 12, when he entered the store again at 12:38 a.m. on May 22 and stole 32 more cans valued at $84, according to police.
The white male also left in the same white sedan, police said.
The suspect took one case of 24 cans, along with two four-packs, according to the report.
DUI arrest
A 56-year-old Monroe man was charged with DUI following a traffic stop for allegedly driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee erratically on Judd Road on May 21.
At approximately 7:35 p.m., police said an officer on patrol on Main Street saw the vehicle turn left onto Judd Road, then saw all four tires cross over the double yellow line as the driver negotiated a curve. The officer stopped the Jeep and noticed the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver, according to the report.
Field sobriety tests determined the driver was under the influence, police said.
He was charged with DUI, failure to drive in the proper lane and operating a motor vehicle without a license and released on $500 bond for a May 31 court date.
Screenshots of suspects
Two black males, who appeared to be in their mid-30s, stole $1,800 worth of over-the-counter medications from CVS Pharmacy, 511 Monroe Turnpike, May 17, according to a late report.
On May 19, officers responded to a complaint by the store. On May 17, one suspect entered the store and the second man entered about 21 minutes later and they collected items in a cart, before leaving without paying, police said.
The suspects left in a gray four-door sedan, possibly a Dodge Charger, police said. Officers obtained screenshots from video surveillance, which detectives are using to investigate the theft.
Attempted burglary
A Windgate Circle resident told police she heard someone attempt to enter her home from the front door, then opened it and saw two hispanic males flee down a common stairwell.
Stolen catalytic converters
Two catalytic converters were reported stolen from an offsite parking lot at 10 Victoria Drive on May 20. Police said both thefts took place sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 7:50 p.m.
