This article was written by David Gurliacci and originally appeared in sister website Darienite.com
Oct. 31, 2019 arrest photo of Richard Williams, 23, of Laurel Avenue in Bridgeport. Photo: Darien Police Dept
Police investigating what they describe as attempted mail theft back in March got two unusual breaks — one from a witness and potential victim, the other provided by the suspect.
Here’s the description of what police said happened, including accusations not proven in court:
On March 28, a resident of a home on Red Rose Circle saw a man get out of a yellow Nissan Xterra, walk over to the potential victim’s mailbox and reach in. The man had already seen the SUV driving past his home twice.
“Can I help you?” the potential victim called out. The man quickly turned around and ran to the SUV, which started peeling away.
But not so fast that the resident couldn’t snap several pictures, at least one of which may have shown police the vehicle’s New York state license plate.
Police were soon alerted, and they searched for the vehicle but couldn’t find it.
At least not yet.
Police said the photos showed the suspects, as well, although they didn’t say how clear the images were (or if a phone or camera was used). There were two or three males in the Xterra.
Police checked the plate number of the Xterra, and records said that it belonged to a Bronx, New York man, Richard Williams. Police also found a Bridgeport address where Williams now lives. They contacted him.
He told them that he was with a friend who directed him to the Darien neighborhood, where the friend left the vehicle and got into a verbal exchange with a resident.
Williams agreed to come to Police Headquarters for an interview. Police noticed he was driving a yellow Xterra with New York state license plates.
He agreed to let police search the vehicle, where they found mail for other Darien residents, checks for other Darien residents and a blank roll of prescription marijuana labels.
Williams denied that he knew anything about the contraband in his SUV.
Police applied for an arrest warrant for Williams, which a prosecutor and judge signed, and on Oct. 31, Williams, who had turned 23 years old that month, again visited Police Headquarters and turned himself in.
He was released on $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Nov. 8 in state Superior Court in Stamford on charges of sixth-degree larceny, third-degree identity theft and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny.
Police didn’t make any other arrests in the case, but their investigation isn’t over.