Stratford Man Tied To Westport Gas Station Burglary Through DNA: PD

WESTPORT, CT — A 41-year-old Stratford man was arrested by Westport police on burglary and larceny charges Monday, after authorities were able to use surveillance video and DNA to tie the suspect to a gas station break-in and theft from earlier this year.

Thomas Moccaie was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy in connection with the Feb. 2 break-in at the Riverside Sunoco on Riverside Avenue.

The incident began when an officer on routine patrol at about 4:40 a.m. saw the front door glass had been smashed.

"Tobacco products appeared to be the target of the burglary, as vaping devices and cigarettes were the majority of items stolen," wrote Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods in a statement.

He added that the value of the stolen items totaled about $3,600.

"The investigating detective processed the scene to include DNA swabs of evidence left on scene," Woods said. "Recovered in Bridgeport on February 16th 2023 was a stolen vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen on surveillance at the burglary. A search of that vehicle uncovered items stolen from the burglary. Using surveillance footage and DNA evidence, Thomas Moccaie was developed as a suspect who allegedly committed the burglary."

Police obtained a warrant for Moccaie's arrest, and he was taken into custody at Stamford Superior Court on Monday, when he was there on another matter.

Moccaie is being held in lieu of bail of $20,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 18.