Couple Caught With $4K In Stolen Items During Traffic Stop: PD

CLINTON, CT — A traffic stop led to the arrest of two New York residents after police say they were found with more than $4,000 worth of stolen items from stores at Clinton Crossings and the Trumbull mall Sunday in Clinton. Police say more than $600 in counterfeit bills was also found in the vehicle.

Police pulled over a vehicle on Route 81 in Clinton after officers saw the driver make an “unsafe left hand turn cutting off oncoming traffic.” After stopping the vehicle, police determined that the North Carolina registration on the vehicle was expired and didn’t belong to the specific vehicle. Police said they also smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle and found the passenger, 27-year-old Katrina Dise of New York, in possession of marijuana after a search.

Police also saw an item that is commonly used as a shoplifting device in Dise’s purse. The device is commonly used to remove anti-theft devices from merchandise, according to police. The operator was identified as her boyfriend, 36-year-old Michael Alston of New York. To sign up for Clinton breaking news alerts and more, click here.

During a search of the vehicle, police say they found a “beater bag (bag with foil lining also used to defeat anti-theft tags on merchandise)” and more than $4,000.00 in stolen merchandise from stores at Clinton Crossings and from the Trumbull mall. Police also found more than $600 in counterfeit bills in the vehicle. Both Dise and Alston have extensive criminal histories, according to police.

Both Dise and Alston were charged with third-degree larceny, first-degree forgery, organized retail theft, possession of shoplifting deice and conspiracy for organized retail theft and third-degree larceny.

Alston was also charged with making an illegal turn, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and misuse of registration plates.

Dise was also charged with possessing less than a ½ ounce of marijuana. They were each held on a $25,000 bond and were scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Monday morning.

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