Bridgeport man held in statewide burglary string

BRIDGEPORT — A 19year-old local man, charged with another man and a teenager in more than a dozen burglaries around the state, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly burglarizing a Trumbull gas station last year.

Donnie James, of Seaview Avenue, was charged in a warrant with third-degree burglary, fifth-degree burglary and criminal mischief in connection with the Sept. 12, burglary of the Alltown Mobil Gas Station on Nichols Avenue.

Police said James is also a suspect in commercial burglaries in Norwalk, Prospect, Hamden, Stamford, Shelton, Southington, Plymouth, Westport, Milford, Seymour, West Haven, Naugatuck and White Plains, N.Y.

A special task force of area departments was established to catch the suspects and police said they recently managed to stop their getaway car on Route 8 in Derby after officers deployed stop sticks on the highway.

In addition to James, police also arrested 19year-old Dominik Marini and a juvenile.

During James’ arraignment Wednesday afternoon, Assistant State’s Attorney Stephen Lojo urged Superior Court Judge Reid to set a high bond for James, pointing out the numerous charges already lodged against the defendant.

But James’ lawyer, Michael Riley, told the judge his client is already being held on numerous bonds.

The judge ordered James held in lieu of $25,000 bond and continued the case for two weeks.

Riley declined comment as he left the Golden Hill Street courthouse.

Police said in the Trumbull burglary, about $3,000 in inventory was taken from the gas station’s store after the plate glass window was broken.

Surveillance video showed the suspects fleeing in a BMW X5 that has been reported stolen in Waterbury, police said.