Connecticut Police Officer Interrupts Car Burglary

The man allegedly saw the officer, got into a vehicle and drove away, and then refused to pull over.

Nov. 3, 2011

2 min read

SHELTON, Conn. -- An officer on patrol Tuesday evening interrupted a man who had broken into a vehicle on Bridgeport Avenue and stolen valuables, police said.

Lt. Robert Kozlowsky said the incident happened at about 8 p.m., when Officer Chris Nugent was patrolling the area and saw a man looking into the windows of vehicles parked outside the Shoreline Veterinary Hospital, at 895 Bridgeport Ave.

The man allegedly saw the officer, got into a vehicle and drove away, and then refused to pull over. Nugent followed the vehicle onto Route 8 southbound. The suspect's vehicle struck a guardrail at the exit 5 off-ramp and became disabled. The man fled on foot, and Bridgeport police apprehended him shortly afterward, according to Kozlowsky.

Shelton police determined a vehicle had been broken into outside the veterinary hospital, and a laptop computer, wallet and camera were taken. Police recovered the items, Kozlowsky said, in a press release.

The man, Jimmie Bennett, 44, of Bishop Avenue, Bridgeport, faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree larceny, third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, tampering with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and engaging police in pursuit.

Bennett posted $50,000 bail and is due to be arraigned in Superior Court in Derby on Nov. 14.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service