Elderly Woman Seriously Injured during Car Robbery on Post Road East; Three Arrested after Police Pursuit

Westport Police Department

Giovanni Abreu:  Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving. Contributed Westport Police Department photo

At approximately 7:00 p.m. on this date, Westport Police officers responded to the parking lot of 1759 Post Road East on a report of the possible theft of a motor  vehicle.  It was also reported that a person may have been injured during the commission of the crime.  Upon arrival, officers determined that a white Hyundai was stolen and that during the  theft the owner of the car, a sixty-four-year-old female, suffered a head injury.  The victim, who drives for Uber Eats, was picking up an order from Golden Pizza which is located at the above address.  Officers believe that while inside the restaurant, the victim observed the suspect enter her unlocked car to steal it, so she went outside to prevent the theft.  During this attempt to intervene, the victim suffered the head injury.  Officers learned that the person who stole the car was seen getting out of a black car moments before the theft and both cars were last seen traveling together westbound on Post Road East.

An officer who was stationed on the Sherwood Island Connector saw both the stolen Hyundai as well as a black Acura traveling together.  Both cars got onto I-95 heading towards Bridgeport.  The officer activated his lights and siren in an attempt to get the cars to pull over, but both fled.  Due to the severity of the crime, the officer pursued the vehicles.  The officer lost sight of the stolen Hyundai but continued to chase the black Acura.  The Acura continued on I-95 eventually getting off Exit 29 in Bridgeport.  After exiting the highway, the driver lost control and struck an occupied vehicle as well as several parked cars.  Two occupants ran from the Acura and the third was detained by the pursuing officer.  Bridgeport Police officers were able to quickly apprehend the two people that ran.  The Acura that the suspects were in was reported stolen from Hamden, CT earlier today.  The car was searched after the arrest and a handgun was located.  However, it is not believed that the handgun was used in the commission of the motor vehicle theft at 1759 Post Road East.

An eighteen-year-old male who was identified as Giovanni Abreu as well as two juveniles were taken into custody.  All three were charged with the following crimes: Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving.

Mr. Abreu was held in custody on a $100,000.00 bond.  Officers are currently completing the necessary paperwork to get the two juveniles transferred to a juvenile detention facility.

The victim in this incident suffered a serious head injury and was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment. 

This investigation is still very active as we are still looking to recover the stolen Hyundai as well as identify and arrest the person who stole it.

Chief Foti Koskinas was grateful for the hard work of all the officers involved in this incident.  He said that their swift actions and teamwork led to the quick arrests of three of the four suspects involved.  He also thanked the Fairfield Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, and the CT State Police for the assistance they provided.

Update: GoFundMe Created for Injured Westport Woman

A GoFundMe has been released for the Westport woman who remains in the ICU due to her injuries from this attack. Click here to donate and learn more.