Fleeing Suspect Leads to Surprising Arrest; Shoppers Charged with Larceny

Police Get Their (Other) Man

A fleeing suspect escaped from Stratford police Monday, but not before leading officers to another man wanted on a court-issued arrest warrant.

Stratford police reported that two officers patrolling near 59 Gregory Circle at 6:14 p.m. on Aug. 1 observed a suspect known to be wanted on a court-issued PRAWN warrant. The officers reportedly chased the suspect into the house, surprising another man who was inside and also wanted by the Milford Police Department on a PRAWN warrant.

The first suspect allegedly bolted out the back door and a police dragnet of the neighborhood failed to apprehend him, a police report said.

However, the second man, Darrell Curry, 21, of 208 Harding Ave., Stratford, was taken into custody and charged with failure to appear in the first degree.

Curry reportedly was upset at being caught, but surrendered without incident. He was released on a $2,500 bond and scheduled for an appearance on Aug. 10 in Milford Superior Court.

Police Nab Alleged Red Bull Thief

Stratford police arrested a suspected shoplifter who allegedly stole $83.15 worth of the energy drink Red Bull, from the Stop & Shop at 200 East Main St. on Aug. 1 at 9:16 pm.

Store security personnel told police they observed a man take the energy drink containers and leave the store without paying for it, a police report said. The suspect allegedly left the parking lot in a silver Nissan Altima.

A police officer stopped a car reportedly matching the description of the shoplifter’s vehicle and arrested Geoffrey K. Gardner, 30, of 98 Emerson Drive, Stratford, on charges of sixth-degree larceny and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Gardner was held on $2,500 bond and scheduled for a court appearance on Aug. 12.

Alleged Baby Formula Theft Foiled

A suspected shoplifter who allegedly stole four cans of baby formula from the Stop & Shop at 200 East Main St., was arrested and charged with sixth-degree larceny.

Police said on July 31 at 2:55 p.m., store security personnel saw a man allegedly conceal the baby formula in a backpack and leave the store without paying for it.

Ruben Roman II, 40, of 344 Tudor St., Waterbury, was reportedly detained by store security and turned over to Stratford police, who charged him with sixth-degree larceny. Roman was released on a promise to appear and scheduled for court on Aug. 5.

Questions about this police report may be directed to jason.bagley@patch.com.