Facebook Plays a Role in Norwalk Arrest of Stamford Man

A 26-year-old Stamford man, wanted in Florida on undisclosed felony warrants in Florida, was arrested early Thursday by Norwalk police.

Steven Wakefield, of 126 Hoyt St., was arrested after police used his Facebook profile to determine who he was. Wakefield had been stopped by Norwalk police on June 25 for running a stop sign, but he first gave the name of his brother, Michael Wakefield, and then gave police the name “Steven Pavia.”

Police did not disclose how officers used Facebook to learn Wakefield's real identity, but once they did they discovered that there were active felony warrants out of Port St. Lucie, Fla., for his arrest.

On June 25, Wakefield was stopped for running a stop sign at the intersection of Burr and Day streets, and police found a small amount of crack cocaine in his car. He was not arrested at the time, but Norwalk police subsequently applied for a warrant for his arrest once they discovered is correct name.

Norwalk police charged Wakefield with possession of narcotics, interfering with an officer, operating without a license, criminal impersonation, failure to obey a stop sign, conspiracy to possess narcotics and fugitive from justice.

He was held in lieu of an undisclosed bond and was scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court Thursday. Police said officers from Port St. Lucie were also en route to Connecticut to extradite Wakefield.