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A Fairfield police officer was conducting business checks as a result of an uptick in car break-ins, car thefts and burglaries in the area of Southport and Westport around 2:15 a.m., when he noticed a suspicious vehicle parked on Pease Avenue with its lights on. As he pulled up to the car, four males jumped out and fled on foot, police said.
Officers were able to immediately arrest one of the suspects after a short pursuit from the car, which was reported stolen from Berlin, police said.
Fairfield Police K9 Maverick, Norwalk Police K9 Kimbo and State Police K9 Silver were called to the scene to track the other suspects.
One juvenile suspect was taken into custody near the car about 12 minutes later and another was found hiding under a parked car near Post and South Pine Creek roads, police said.
The last juvenile was taken into custody around 6 a.m. after he told a passerby that he had been kidnapped and dropped off in the area, police said. Fairfield officers determined he was the final occupant of the stolen car.
James Harris, 18, was charged with third-degree larceny by possession and interfering with an officer, police said. He was initially held on $20,000 bond, but the State of Connecticut bail commissioner ordered him released on a promise to appear in court, police said.
The first two juveniles were charged with third-degree larceny by possession and interfering with an officer.
Over the past several weeks, Fairfield and neighboring communities have seen a measurable uptick in vehicle break-ins and vehicle thefts.
The suspects in these cases have been traveling into residential neighborhoods by car and victimizing as many unlocked vehicles as they find. In most cases, they are able to steal purses, computers, GPS units, cellular phones, cash and loose change, police.
Officers urge resident to lock their cars and not leave keys and valuables in vehicles overnight.
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