The son of the owner of a delicatessen on Main Avenue found himself face-to-face with two burglars attempting to break into the business early Thursday. He called police at 2 a.m. to report he confronted them and they drove away.
He told officers he was working on a computer in the back of the business, Merritt View Deli, 454 Main Ave., when he noticed a white truck pulling into the parking lot. He said he didn't investigate it, but ten minutes later heard the glass in the front door being smashed in.
He ran to the front and encountered two men working at breaking away the remaining glass in the door. He said he yelled at them and they returned to their truck and drove away, heading north on Main Avenue.
Sleeping Man Found in Stolen Car
Police were called to the area of 78 Grumman Ave. Thursday morning on a report of a suspicious parked vehicle.
When officers arrived, they found a man sleeping in a white 1998 BMW 328i. They reported they attempted to get the man's attention by tapping on the glass, without success.
An officer then opened the car door and tapped on the man's shoulder, which awakened him. He reportedly said to the officer several times, "What are you doing?"
Police said running the rear license plate registration came back to nothing. However, a correct registration form for the car was found inside, and checking it showed the car had been stolen in Bridgeport.
Jose Lopez, 29, of 710 Hallett St., Bridgeport, was charged with third-degree larceny. He was held on $10,000 bond and given a court date of Aug. 24.
Brideport Police were notified the vehicle was recovered.
Vehicle Break-In Yields Toolbox
The owner of First Step Landscaping, 599 West Ave., contacted police shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday to report a car burglary.
He reported the driver's side window of a car was smashed in. Missing was a toolbox containing $350 in tools and a respirator mask worth $150.
