Good Samaritan Helps Police Nab Cellphone Thief: Stamford PD

STAMFORD, CT — Thanks to the help of a Good Samaritan and a quick response from authorities, a 38-year-old man accused of stealing a cellphone from a woman in downtown Stamford was quickly arrested Tuesday evening, according to police.

Abiola Teyibo, of Fort Washington, Md., was charged with third-degree robbery. He was arraigned in court on Wednesday and is being held on a $25,000 bond, Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin said.

The theft occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Atlantic Street and Tresser Boulevard.

An 18-year-old woman was walking and put her cellphone in her bag, Conklin said, noting at that point, a man later identified as Teyibo approached her, knocked her to the ground, took the cellphone ran away.

A Good Samaritan who witnessed the theft from a nearby car got out and helped the woman call police. Conklin said the woman did not speak English.

Officers responded and obtained a description of the suspect, but about 15 minutes later, the Good Samaritan called police again and said he noticed the suspect in front of St. John's Church on Atlantic Street.

"He gave a description and our patrol officers responded immediately and stopped the suspect," Conklin said, adding he was later identified by the woman.

Police later recovered the cellphone after Teyibo told officers he left it by St. John’s Church, according to Conklin.

Teyibo is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on March 7.

Editor’s note: this post has been edited to reflect the correct charge for the arrestee, third-degree robbery.