Three charged in gas station burglary

GREENWICH — Three suspects in a gas station burglary in Greenwich were captured Saturday morning after attempting to evade police officers, police said.

The trio, including a 17-year-old juvenile, were charged with a break-in at the Mobil gas station at 520 E. Putnam Ave.

It began when an officer spotted unusual activity — a white van driving out of the gas station at 4 a.m. at a high rate of speed, police said. The officer began to follow the van, which later joined up with another vehicle on Route 1, police said.

The motorists realized that a police officer was following them, according to authorities, and the two vehicles came to a stop near Salem Street. At that point, all three suspects ran from the two vehicles, police said.

“They didn’t get far,” said police Lt. John Slusarz. Two suspects were apprehended in the Millwood Association area, he said.

A suspect, Louis Lopez, 24, was picked up on East Putnam Avenue, Slusarz said. He was apprehended while talking on his cellphone, attempting to flag down a vehicle that was apparently coming to his aid, according to police.

Lopez, of Third Street, Ansonia, was charged with burglary, larceny, resisting arrest and conspiracy.

Also charged with burglary, larceny, criminal mischief, conspiracy and resisting arrest was Kenny Tapia, 23, of Stevens Road, Bridgeport. A 17-year-old, whose name was not released due to his age, was also charged.

One of the vehicles driven by a suspect during the burglary was listed as stolen from Stratford, police said.

Further details about the burglary at the gas station were not immediately available.

Bail was set at $100,000 for Lopez, and $50,000 for Tapia.

The police spokesman gave credit to the overnight officers for solid work. “We’re up and paying attention at 4 o’clock in the morning, and all hours of the day,” Slusarz said.