Two charged with stealing car, Wallingford police officers say

WALLINGFORD — Officers charged a man and woman suspected of stealing a vehicle from Fairfield earlier this month, according to the Wallingford Police Department.

Wallingford officers were called to the Walgreens on South Colony Road on Jan. 18 just before 8 p.m. and found a 2023 Lexus NX3. The vehicle had been stolen from Fairfield and “used in some type of robbery in Fairfield earlier that evening,” Sgt. Stephen Jaques said in a news release Saturday.

Officers saw a man — later identified as Eric Woodson, 59, of New Haven — walking through the parking lot and trying to put items into the stolen vehicle. Officers detained Woodson, who then provided a fake name, according to Jaques.

Police also discovered “evidence of narcotics” on Woodson, who “became quickly lethargic and seemed to be losing consciousness,” Jaques said. Woodson was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

While investigating, police determined that a woman had also been involved in stealing the vehicle. Officers canvassed the surrounding area and found the female suspect at a nearby Citgo gas station “trying to solicit rides from passing motorists,” according to Jaques.

The woman — later identified Jessica Lynn Petrino, 29, of Stratford — also initially gave officers a false name, Jaques noted.

Petrino and Woodson were each charged with interfering with an officer, larceny of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, according to Jaques.

Woodson was additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on a $25,000 bond, Jaques said.

Police also charged Petrino with two active warrants for probation violations. She was held on a $10,000 bond, according to Jaques.

Woodson is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Meriden on March 6, court records show.

Jaques said Petrino is set to appear in court on March 1.