Police Blotter: Shoplifting, DWI, Assault

Shoplifters at Main St Clothing Store:

A 38-year-old employee of JoS. A. Bank contacted police at 1:51 p.m. on July 8 to report an incident of shoplifting. Police report two women entered the store at 70 Main St around 1:20 p.m. on July 8 and allegedly, in plain sight, stuffed a pile of six silk shirts into a purse. When the employee confronted the suspected shoplifters, the two women exited the store and crossed the street to the rear parking lot of Town Hall, where they dropped the stolen merchandise. The shirts were valued at $594. The incident is still under investigation.

Assault at Local Pizzeria:

A 15-year-old resident of New Canaan contacted police at 8:15 p.m. on July 10 to report an assault. Police say 20-year-old George G. Russell, of West Country Club Rd, entered Joe's Pizzeria at 23 Locust Ave on the evening of July 10 and reportedly hit the complainant very hard on his buttocks. Police say the victim and suspect are co-workers and that Saturday's incident stems from a series of non-physical disputes at work. Russell was later released without bail under the agreement he would appear in court on July 20. 

Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Intoxicated Driver:

During a scheduled sobriety checkpoint on July 10 at Old Stamford Road, police arrested a 50-year-old New Canaan resident for DWI. Brian E. Gilbert, of Morning Glory Rd, was traveling northbound on Old Stamford Rd at approximately 10:45 p.m. on the night of July 10 when he made contact with officers. An officer on the scene reported Gilbert's speech was slurred and that he smelled of alcohol. Police arrested Gilbert after administering a field sobriety test, which he failed. The suspect later posted $250 and is scheduled to appear in court on July 20. 

Shoplifters at Elm St Clothing Store:

A 29-year-old employee of J. McLaughlin contacted police at 2:17 p.m. on July 11 to report an incident of larceny. According to police, a man and a woman, both in their mid-20's, entered the store at 116 Elm St at approximately 1:45 p.m. The employee said the couple engaged her in casual conversation before entering the dressing room with several articles of clothing. A few minutes later, the suspects exited the dressing room and calmly left the store, headed west in the direction of the train station. The items reported stolen were a silk dress, valued at $119.90, a men's leather belt, $65, a men's shirt, $135, a pair of men's shorts, $125, and a navy sweater, $135. Police estimate the total value of stolen merchandise at approximately $580. There was no mention of the suspects carrying a purse or backpack, leading investigators to believe the suspects concealed the items under their clothing.

Police remind shopkeepers to report any suspicion of shoplifting immediately. Time lapse between the incident and the report can greatly reduce the chances of catching the suspects.