Suspected Shoplifters Lead Police on Pursuit Through Stamford

Police were led on a pursuit through Downtown Stamford Saturday evening that resulted in a police cruiser being struck by the fleeing suspects, Lt. Diedrich Hohn said Monday.

According to Hohn, it was reported to Stamford Police that male and female suspects were currently operating in a Hope St. CVS Saturday afternoon. When responding to the scene, the suspects had allegedly already fled in a brown Ford Explorer with NY plates.

The vehicle was spotted by police in the Hope St. area and, when police attempted to pull the vehicle over, the vehicle fled in the direction of State St., when it became stuck in traffic, according to Hohn.

Hohn said this didn't stop the suspects, identified as Gilbert Parker, 53, and Connie Davis, 35, both of Brooklyn, NY, who allegedly jumped a curb in an attempt to bypass traffic and enter I-95. An investigator pulled his vehicle into the path of the fleeing suspects, Hohn said, and a low-speed ramming occurred as the suspects stuck the officer.

Police would later learn a third suspect described as a tall, thin male approximately 18 years old wearing a silver puffy jacket apparently made an escape from the vehicle on foot at some point during the pursuit, Hohn said. He said that suspect remains at large.

Hohn described approximately $1,000 worth of allegedly stolen goods and a foil-lined bag recovered from the vehicle after the pursuit came to an end. He said roughly $300 worth of merchandise came from the Hope St. CVS, and the rest from other area pharmacies. Police are currently working to determine which other Stamford stores were hit.

Items included Crest White Strips, razor blades and Rogaine, which Hohn said had recently become popular items to steal and resell on the street.

Parker and Davis were both charged with sixth-degree larceny, possession of a shoplifting device, and conspiracy counts on both those charges. Additionally, Parker, who was operating the motor vehicle, was charged with engaging police in a pursuit, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, operating a motor vehicle while under suspension and criminal attempt to commit injury to a police officer. 

Both were held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.