Man Accused Of Shoplifting Fled From Officers, Caused Crash: GPD

GREENWICH, CT — Police said a 25-year-old man accused of shoplifting in the central Greenwich business district fled from officers in his car and hit another car, which sent two people to the hospital.

On April 29 around 1:45 p.m., police said a man, later identified as Jose Andre Cepeda, of the Bronx, N.Y., stole an item from a business on Mason Street and was confronted by people on nearby Greenwich Avenue.

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Officers responded, and Cepeda fled in his Honda Accord on Mason Street "in an area of heavy pedestrian foot traffic, ignoring stop signs, crosswalks and other traffic controls, endangering pedestrians," according to an arrest report.

Police said Cepeda failed to stop for a stop sign and crashed into another car on Patterson Avenue, which sent two occupants of the car to the hospital with injuries.

Cepeda then continued and crashed into a telephone pole and flipped his car in the area of Lake Avenue and Carleton Street, police said. Cepeda ran away on foot, but he was taken into custody soon after.

Cepeda was charged with third-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny and interfering with officers. He was given a $2,500 bond on those charges, according to his arrest report.

He was also charged with operating a motor vehicle without insurance; reckless driving; engaging police in pursuit; evading responsibility; failure to drive upon right side of the road; and failure to obey a stop sign. Those charges carried a $500 bond, police said.

Cepeda is scheduled to appear in court May 13.