When Westport police pulled over Lee Bates they knew pretty quickly he was the burglary suspect they were looking for. Some of the stolen goods were sitting in the front passenger floorboards, police say.
Officers were investigating a burglary on the southeastern end of town last Friday. A neighbor mentioned seeing a vehicle parked at the house. An hour later a patrolman spotted the car. When he approached the vehicle, police say the stolen goods were in plain sight.
Bates, 20, of 42 Hales Court, Westport, was charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary and first-degree larceny. Possession of cocaine, heroin and drug paraphernalia were added to the list during the investigation.
Bates cooperated with the investigation, which led police to a Fairfield antique dealer where most of the stolen goods were recovered. More were found in a home where he had been staying. So far he has been connected to four other burglaries.
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