An early morning arrest last Thursday captured two suspects allegedly stealing items from a Beacon branch in Bridgeport, Conn., after police were alerted to a burglary in progress; a third suspect is still on the loose.
Around 3 a.m. on August 29, patrol units responded to a reported break-in at the Beacon branch on 1730 Commerce Drive in Bridgeport, Connecticut’s largest city, about 60 miles north of New York City.
As first reported by the Connecticut Post, Bridgeport Police were informed by the branch’s alarm company, Comp Tech – Logic Communications, that three suspects — two males and one female — were actively attempting to steal materials from the property.
According to reports, video surveillance showed the suspects passing items over a fence surrounding the branch. Upon arrival, patrol units observed the suspects trying to secure stolen items in the back seat of a car stolen from the area earlier that week.
The suspects attempted to flee on foot, but two — Jose A. Velasco and Stacey Velez, both from Connecticut — were apprehended by officers. Inside the car, officers found 17 bundles of roofing shingles valued at $731, which were returned to Beacon; the third suspect evaded capture.
A local news website, Doingitlocal.com, reported that the Bridgeport Beacon branch had been burglarized several times over the past few months.
According to Bridgeport police, Velasco was charged with criminal trespass in the second degree, larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny in the fifth degree, and interfering with an officer, with a bond set at $10,000. Velez was charged with criminal trespass in the second degree, larceny of a motor vehicle and larceny in the fifth degree; she was released on her own recognizance.
