Three people suspected to be involved in a retail fraud ring operating in the New England area and believed to have stolen more than $135,000 worth of merchandise were apprehended after the state police Aviation Unit used aerial surveillance to track them throughout Central Connecticut.
The operation was carried out by the state police Bureau of Special Investigations with assistance from the Aviation Unit when investigators received word that the suspects were at a department store in Glastonbury around 3 p.m., according to Connecticut State Police.
State police said the “sophisticated” fraud ring has been active for the past three months and has been known to display firearms toward loss prevention officers. The individuals allegedly involved are suspected to have stolen more than $135,000 worth of merchandise from home improvement stores in the region and have allegedly been involved in multiple pursuits with police, according to state police.
State police said the vehicle the suspects were in took off when detectives moved into the area where they were spotted. They did not pursue the vehicle and instead allowed the Aviation Unit to track it through the skies.
The vehicle was followed into New Britain where the driver stopped at a fast food restaurant, state police said. Detectives converged in the area and, as they did, the driver allegedly took off on foot. He was apprehended after a brief pursuit and was identified a 25-year-old Meriden man, according to state police.
The man was allegedly found with a controlled substance and was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of a controlled substance, state police said. He was released on $2,500 bond and is expected to be arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 19.
According to state police, the other occupants in the vehicle drove away from the area when one of then took the wheel. They were tracked by the Aviation Unit until the driver stopped in Meriden, where officers with the Meriden Police Department apprehended both suspects following foot pursuits, according to state police. Their identities were not immediately released.
Charges connected to the theft ring were not immediately filed. State police said that investigation remains ongoing.