Investigators from the Trumbull Police Department were alerted at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, of a stolen car that had been taken out of Newington.
Police said that further investigation from the Audi’s owner determined that her credit cards, which had been left in the car, had been used within the store earlier that day. The initial investigation found the stolen car was found in the parking lot of the mall.
When officers spotted the two teenagers - later identified as New Haven residents Jasean Smith and Marquise Harris, both 18 - returning to the stolen car, they fled on foot through the mall. Police said that one was apprehended as he attempted to hide amongst other shoppers near the Build-A-Bear store, and the other was stopped in the parking lot when confronted by a police canine team.
According to police, both were found to be in possession of stolen merchandise from the mall with a value of more than $2,000. Stolen credit cards, and the key to the stolen Audi, were also seized.
Smith was charged with second-degree larceny for the stolen car, third-degree larceny, criminal impersonation and interfering with an officer. Harris was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, larceny, criminal impersonation, and criminal impersonation.
Both men are currently being held in lieu of $50,000 bond and are due to appear in Bridgeport Court on Sept. 10 to answer the charges.
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