Stratford Man Caught Breaking Into Honda Of Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — A 28-year-old Stratford man tussled with Westport police officers early Monday morning after he tried to break into Honda of Westport, according to authorities.

Robert Mebane Jr. was arrested and charged with multiple violations in connection with the 3:30 a.m. incident, and his apprehension required assistance from Fairfield police officers and a Westport police service dog.

Officers were dispatched to the Post Road East auto dealership after an alarm monitoring service saw "a suspicious person on surveillance video camera footage of the business," wrote Westport police in statement.

"This person appeared to be a male, dressed in all black clothing, wearing a black ski mask, gloves and carrying a backpack," police said, adding that thieves have stolen tires and rims from the dealership on numerous occasions in the past.

"Officers immediately responded to the area and located the subject who seemed to be trying to hide from the police," authorities said. "Upon approach, he engaged in a brief physical struggle with one of the officers and then fled on foot. With the assistance of the Fairfield Police Department, officers set up a perimeter and the male reappeared on the roof of the business. Refusing to comply with officer commands, the subject scaled down from the roof and continued to flee from officers by running on the rooftops of vehicles parked in the lot of the dealership, causing damage to several of them. The subject then jumped off the vehicles and continued to run from police. After an additional struggle, and with the assistance of a Westport Police Service Dog, the subject was ultimately taken into custody."

Police recovered Mebane's backpack, which officials said contained a flashlight and several unnamed burglary tools associated with stealing tires and rims. Additionally in Mebane's vehicle, police found a jack and several bricks, which are often used to prop up vehicles after removing the tires and rims.

Mebane was charged with the following:

• Criminal mischief, 3rd degree (13 Counts)
• Interfering with an officer
• Criminal trespass, 3rd Degree
• Possession of burglary tools
• Criminal attempt to commit larceny

He was held in lieu of bail of $20,000, and he was scheduled to be arraigned in Norwalk Superior Court on Dec. 16.