Third Arrest For Suspected Darien Drug Dealer: Police

DARIEN, CT -- Mark Yarish, the 51-year-old Darien man already facing drug dealing charges for allegedly selling cocaine to juveniles, was arrested for a third time on Friday for allegedly selling marijuana, alcohol and tobacco products to children as young as 12 years old, according to Darien police.

Yarish was arrested on similar charges in July and earlier this month, and on Friday he was apprehended on a warrant while he was at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville.

"For the past several months, the Darien Police Selective Enforcement Unit, Detective Division, and Patrol Division conducted a complex investigation regarding illicit activity involving Mark Yarish of Cherry Street in Darien," wrote police in a statement. "Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation and it involving numerous juvenile victims, Yarish was arrested twice previously (7/24/2017 and 9/1/2017) as developments in the case were made.

"As the investigation continued, additional evidence was discovered by detectives indicating that Yarish sold Marijuana, alcohol, and an assortment of tobacco products to Darien juveniles as young as twelve (12) years old. Information developed showed that Yarish was conducting these transactions on an almost daily basis dating back to December of 2016. These transactions were conducted via text messages and phone calls followed by Yarish delivering the products to the juveniles at a substantial markup over cost."

After Darien detectives secured the third arrest warrant for Yarish on Friday, they learned that he was at Mohegan Sun. Darien police contacted the Mohegan Tribal Police Department and informed them of Yarish’s active arrest warrant, and he was apprehended at about 2:30 p.m. and was subsequently turned over to Darien police.

Yarish was charged with:

• Six (6) counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor
• One (1) count of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree

"The Department of Children and Families continues to be a part of this investigation and has been working with police to ensure the safety of the involved juveniles."

Yarish was held in lieu of a $250,000 court set bond and remains in the custody of the Darien Police Department. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court later this month.

Photo: Mark Yarish. Photo credit: Darien Police Department