PD: Darien Burglar Caught in the Act

Police quickly responded and nabbed a suspected burglar as he was pilfering jewelry from a Leroy Avenue residence.

Officers were dispatched on Dec. 15 around 11:30 a.m. for an activated burglar alarm.

Police conducted a perimeter check and found the front door was unlocked. They entered and heard noise from the second floor.

Officers identified themselves and heard more noise from the second floor. They saw a man retreat further down the second floor from the stair landing.

The suspect was observed again and ordered to the ground, police said. He complied.

Teodoro Alicea, 35, of Whitestone, N.Y. said he was alone. Officers observed a broken window and pry marks to the rear door of the residence.

Police found a pry bar on Alicea. They also found a pillow case stuffed with jewelry nearby. Alicea claimed he had nothing to do with the jewelry in the bag, which amounted to about $10,000.

Alicea was charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree larceny and was released on a $100,000 bond.