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Police report: five arrests for retail theft at Wawa, multiple DUI crashes and stepped‑up enforcement ahead of St. Patrick’s Day
Summary
The Bridgeport Police Department reported five recent arrests for retail theft at the Wawa, several other theft arrests, three DUI‑related accidents in the prior week, and announced increased traffic enforcement for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day period.
At the March 11 Bridgeport Borough Council meeting the police chief reported that the department made five recent arrests for retail theft at the local Wawa and has handled four additional recent theft arrests. The chief also told the council the department responded to three DUI‑related accidents in the prior week.
"In the last...3 days or so, we've effected five arrests for retail theft at the Wawa," the chief said on the record. The chief described a range of offenders and noted the department is using diversion programs for juveniles and working with partners that have a live‑scan machine to speed identification and processing.
Council members asked whether offenders were repeat offenders; the chief said most were not local repeat offenders and that some incidents involve diversion theft or people filling bags and attempting to leave the store. He said a small number of arrests in recent years have been repeat offenders.
The chief announced an aggressive driving grant enforcement period that will wrap around St. Patrick's Day and run for about three weeks; citizens should expect increased vehicle enforcement, particularly on routes including West Fifth Street and the Fourth Street corridors. "We're going to have some details out... you will see some Bridgeport Police Officers doing more extensive vehicle enforcement," the chief said.
The chief also updated the council on officer training: a recently sworn officer, Mike D'Annunzio, is in his second phase of training and is expected to complete training in about six weeks.
Why it matters: Retail thefts and DUI accidents affect public safety and local businesses; the department's enforcement and diversion strategies and public warnings aim to reduce repeat incidents and increase road safety during high‑risk periods.
The chief urged residents not to drink and drive for St. Patrick's Day and recommended use of ride services or designated drivers.
