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Couple Steals $20K Worth Of Items At CT Homes, Police Say

A Naugatuck couple accused in the 2017 theft of thousands of dollars worth of items from a dead Ansonia woman's home have pleaded not guilty.

Christopher Lanci

Christopher Lanci

Photo Credit: Ansonia Police Department
Samantha Lanci

Samantha Lanci

Photo Credit: Ansonia Police Department

Christopher Lanci, 26, and Samantha Lanci, 23, are also accused of using keys found in the home to break into the woman's daughter's home, according to information obtained by the Connecticut Post.

Some of the items stolen, which included everything from an expensive diamond ring and Rolex watch to a World War II Purple Heart, were later found at area pawn shops, according to arrest warrants, the Post said.

When arrested for the November 2017 robbery, the couple, who are free on $10,000 bonds, were charged with conspiracy, larceny, burglary, and criminal mischief.

Police suspect the two used the money from the stolen goods to purchase drugs, the paper reported.

The thefts were discovered after the late woman's daughter noticed the missing items from the Hemlock Drive home. 

According to arrest warrants, the daughter had given a wheelchair to Samantha Laci that used to belong to her mother. When she went to pick it up, she unlocked a window so the duo could later break into the home, the Post said.

After obtaining the goods, they sold them for less than $2,000. They were worth more than $20,000, police said.

When police arrested the couple, the Samantha Lanci told police she and Christopher had a drug problem.

The Lancis originally blamed the thefts on a friend living with them at the time, but police matched a fingerprint from Christopher Lanci to glass from a broken window at the home, the Post said.

Their case has been continued to March 27, after the presiding judge told them to "rethink" having the same lawyer. 

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