NEW CANAAN, Conn. Two men are facing larceny and forgery charges after a police investigation into a months-long scheme of stealing money from a New Canaan gas station, police said.
Ali Khalil, 26, of Bridgeport, and Christian Cruz, 32, of Locust Avenue, New Canaan, are each charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, both felonies, as well as third-degree forgery and conspiracy to commit third-degree forgery. Both were arrested last week on warrants.
The investigation began March 16 when the owners of the New Canaan Gulf station on South Avenue told police they suspected an employee had been stealing from the business, police said. The owners had received an anonymous letter March 15 that someone was stealing from them, police said.
The owners tried to settle the matter themselves, police said. Khalil told them he had stolen about $60 a day from the shop for about five months. Police said Khalil, who had worked at New Canaan Gulf for about seven years, returned a portion of the money and promised he would make full restitution but did not.
Police said Cruz, who worked at Karl Chevrolet for about eight years, schemed with Khalil to overcharge for gas purchased by the dealer at the station and kept the difference. They also stole gift cards and other merchandise from the gas station, police said.
Police arrested Cruz on a warrant last Tuesday. Khalil turned himself in last Thursday.
Each men was released on $25,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear June 5 in Norwalk Superior Court.
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