Stamford Police Nab Suspected Bar Burglar

Stamford Police have caught the man they believe is “responsible for the burglaries plaguing the downtown area” including the Sept. 8 burglary of Bradford’s Grill & Tavern on Bedford Street.

On Friday, Sept. 11, police apprehended the suspect after a foot pursuit through the Stamford Town Center mall. The foot pursuit ended in Barnes and Noble Bookstore in which the suspect, identified as Carl Dawkins, had to be forcibly taken down. “It was discovered during his arrest he discarded a handgun inside the bookstore’s bathroom,” police said in a statement.

On Friday, officers were checking residences for Dawkins after obtaining an arrest warrant earlier in the day.

Police said, “It was discovered during these checks, Dawkins was downtown with his girlfriend. Officers spotted Dawkins’ girlfriend, which in turn, led them to Dawkins. Officers gave chase and several units assisted in keeping an eye on him and running him into a corner of the store inside the busy mall. Several witnesses inside the mall came forward and stated they saw Dawkins in possession of a handgun while he was running through the mall.”

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Police released a security video of the Sept. 8 burglary in hopes of identifying the suspect who picked the lock of the rear entrance to the 83 Bedford St. restaurant. After setting off the alarm, the thief exited the same door after several attempts to break the glass to escape.

Dawkins was placed under arrest and charged with interfering with police, criminal possession of a handgun, two counts of third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and two counts of second-degree criminal mischief. He will appear in court later this month, police said.

Stamford Police photo: Carl Dawkins.