Crime & Safety

Bridgeport Man Arrested After Stolen Car Pursuit: Westport PD

Westport police said five suspects were arrested following the pursuit, four of which were juveniles.

WESTPORT, CT — Police said a 20-year-old Bridgeport man and four juveniles were arrested following a stolen vehicle pursuit on the Merritt Parkway early Friday morning. The incident occurred after a Bradley Street resident reported a suspicious vehicle driving slowly with its headlights off and occupants getting in and out of the vehicle.

According to a news release, officers were dispatched to the area at approximately 12:45 a.m. and set up a perimeter when they spotted a black Audi traveling away from the area towards Hillspoint Road.

"Another officer began to follow behind the vehicle, which was confirmed to be stolen out of Easton after a registration check," Lieutenant Jillian Cabana said in a release. "Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Cross Highway. The suspect vehicle evaded police and engaged them in a pursuit onto Merritt Parkway North via exit 42."

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According to police, the lead officer hung back in the left lane when the pursuit came upon a construction zone, while the vehicle entered the right lane, which was closed for construction. The stolen vehicle then struck another vehicle on the highway and continued north, switching between the right and left lanes of traffic through the construction pattern, police said.

Police said the lead officer was stuck behind traffic in the left lane when she lost sight of the vehicle and the pursuit was terminated. The occupant of the struck vehicle was uninjured, police said.

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A short time later, police learned the vehicle had crashed in the area of exit 48-49. Officers from Trumbull, Fairfield and State Police immediately arrested all five suspects.

"Westport units responded to the scene and took custody of the suspects," Cabana said. "With the assistance of Fairfield and Trumbull police units, all five suspects were transported to Westport police headquarters where they were charged."

Police identified the driver as Andre Davis, 20, of Bridgeport. He was charged with four counts of risk of injury to a child, first-degree larceny: motor vehicle theft, interfering with an officer: non-assaultive, second-degree reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit (first-degree larceny), reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer: elude/attempt escape and operating a motor vehicle without a license, according to police.

The accused was also found to have an outstanding warrant for violation of probation, police said.

Police said a 14-year-old female from Bridgeport was also arrested and issued a Juvenile Summons charging her with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit (first-degree larceny). There was an active Take Into Custody Order for the suspect and she was later taken to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention, police said.

At the time of his arrest, a 14-year-old male suspect was found to be in possession of four key fobs, one of which belonged to the stolen vehicle he had just exited, police said. He was also issued a Juvenile Summons, charging him with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit (first-degree larceny). The suspect also had an outstanding Take Into Custody Order and was transported to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention, police said.

Officers also learned a 13-year-old male suspect was the brother of the 14-year-old male suspect. Police said he was also issued a Juvenile Summons, charging him with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit (first-degree larceny) before being released to the custody of his mother. The brothers reside in Derby, according to police.

A 15-year-old male suspect, also from Bridgeport, was issued a Juvenile Summons charging him with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit (first-degree larceny), police said. He was also released to the custody of his mother.

Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas expressed outrage over these continuing incidents.

“Unfortunately, the teens and young adults involved in these incidents never experience real consequences from the juvenile justice system," Koskinas said in a release. "Meanwhile, they’re putting residents, other drivers, our officers and in this instance, construction workers at risk. Luckily, no one was hurt during this incident. The teens involved in the pursuit last night had prior run-ins with law enforcement, which resulted in the orders to detain against them. Yet here they are, out and about in the middle of a week night knowing that all they will get is a slap on the wrist from the State of Connecticut. We are not doing Connecticut residents or these kids any favors by denying them consequences and real opportunities to reform. We need to work together to find a better solution before someone really gets hurt.”

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