Crime & Safety
Police Make Arrests in String of Larcenies
Four individuals were arrested in separate incidents.
Man Charged with Stealing DVDs
A Bridgeport man was arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m. on May 24 on a charge of sixth-degree larceny.
Police said Jose A. Franceschi, 47, was observed stealing items by a WalMart loss prevention officer. Franceschi reportedly opened DVD packages and concealed them in his clothing before attempting to leave the store, located at 150 Barnum Ave. Cutoff. The four DVDs were valued at $40.50.
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Franceschi is scheduled to appear in court June 8.
Illegal Arrested on Larceny Charge
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A Ridgewood, NY, woman was charged with sixth-degree larceny and risk of injury to a minor following an alleged shoplifting at Shop Rite, 250 Barnum Ave. Cutoff, on May 24.
Police said a store loss prevention officer observed Mirabela Dumitru, 29, shoplift $40.95 worth of creams and cosmetics. Her 7-year-old daughter reportedly took the price tag off a child’s makeup kit valued at $8.95 and placed it around her neck.
Dumitru made no attempt to pay for the items and was detained by the loss prevention officer.
The child was released to the custody of family. Police determined that Dumitru was in the U.S. illegally and so her bond was raised from $500 to $10,000.
Bridgeport Man Busted at WalMart
Kevin Hardison, 45, of Bridgeport, was arrested on a charge of sixth-degree larceny at approximately 4:45 p.m. on May 24.
Police said a loss prevention officer from WalMart reported that he observed Hardison stuff several items into bags and then attempt to exit the store without paying. The items were valued at $192.03.
Police said Hardison refused to be fingerprinted at headquarters so he was also charged with refusal to be fingerprinted.
His bond was set at $500 and he is scheduled to appear in court on June 2.
Stratford Woman Charged with Stealing Cosmetics
Vivenne Nelson, 58, of Judson Place in Stratford, was arrested May 24 on a charge of sixth-degree larceny for allegedly shoplifting at Shoprite, 250 Barnum Ave. Cutoff.
Store security saw her place cosmetic items, valued at $47.65, in her purse, police said. She reportedly paid for ice cream by not the items in purse. Store security confronted her after she exited the store and detained her until police arrived.
Nelson was released on a promise to appear in court on June 8.
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