Suspected Burglary Crew Arrested In Bridgeport: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Three men, who Bridgeport police believe are a "burglary crew," were arrested last week after authorities said they committed burglaries in Berlin and Hamden.

Francisco Ayala, 24; Edgar Crespo, 34; and Donnie James, 22, were taken into custody by Bridgeport detectives at 223 Iranistan Ave. in the early morning hours of Feb. 20.

The trio had been under surveillance for a month by members of the Bridgeport Regional Task Force, who believe the suspects are "responsible for several ATM and commercial burglaries across the state of Connecticut."

"Through diligent investigative work, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, investigators were able to identify the suspects involved," wrote Shawnna White, Press Secretary for the City of Bridgeport, in a statement.

The three were charged with the following:

• Possession of burglary tools
• Criminal trespass
• Larceny, 6th degree
• Interfering with an officer

Ayala, who was on parole, was additionally charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. Crespo and James both had active burglary arrest warrants from Monroe police.

Both Crespo and James are being held in lieu of bails of $100,000, and they are scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on March 10. Ayala, who was held in lieu of bail of $150,000, was remanded to custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 14.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and arrest warrants are expected for burglaries and attempted burglaries from multiple jurisdictions across the state," White said.