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Westport Police say they observed a driver speeding in a van exiting the plaza at 1460 Post Road East on Thursday, Sept. 5 around 6:50 a.m.
A traffic stop was initiated, and the occupants were identified as Anel Garcia and Nelson Gonzalez-Perez, police say.
Based on previous incidents, police say the van is believed to be involved with the theft of used cooking oil that is commonly stored behind restaurant properties.
Both suspects were released at the scene, as police say there was still some uncertainty regarding whether they had permission to take the oil.
In a follow-up investigation, it was revealed that the suspects did not have permission to take the oil from one of the restaurants in the plaza, police say, resulting in the pressing of criminal charges by the victim.
It was also revealed through the sharing of information by other agencies that Garcia and Gonzalez-Perez had been involved in similar incidents in at least one other jurisdiction in Connecticut, police say.
Police obtained warrants for Garcia and Gonzalez-Perez, and the Guilford Police Department contacted officers in Westport stating that Garcia was in their custody in connection with the warrant on Monday, Sept. 23 around 3 p.m.
Garcia was transported back to Westport Police Department, where he was charged with six-degree larceny.
Garcia posted his $500 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
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