Shoplifters Fled Police Pursuit: Westport PD

WESTPORT, CT — Three shoplifting suspects were arrested after they stole $4,779 worth of merchandise from Ulta Beauty on the Post Road and then fled officers in a vehicle, according to police.

Employees of the store called police Aug. 5 to notify them about a possible shoplifting in progress. An employee recognized two suspects from a previous shoplifting incident, police said. They left the store without paying for merchandise and got into a vehicle.

Westport officers attempted to stop the vehicle as it got on the Merritt Parkway at exit 42. They ignored an officer who tried to pull the vehicle over, police said. Westport Police terminated the pursuit, but broadcast a description of the vehicle to nearby departments.

Fairfield Police stopped the vehicle at the northbound Merritt Parkway rest area.

Adult suspects Robert Keeshawn, 31, of New Britain and Cynphanie Merritt, 27, of Windsor were arrested and charged with third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny. Merritt was also charged with disobeying the signal of an officer, engaging police in a pursuit, reckless driving, operating an unregistered vehicle, operating under suspension and failure to insure vehicle.

Merritt had four outstanding arrest warrants for failure to appear and violation of probation. She also has an outstanding arrest warrant out of New Hampshire for larceny.

A juvenile suspect was also charged with third-degree larceny and conspiracy. She had an active arrest warrant for robbery out of Farmington