2 Men Charged In Burglary Of Darien Gas Station: Police

DARIEN, CT — Two Connecticut men were charged on July 10 in connection with the burglary of a Darien gas station from February, according to police.

Edgar Crespo, 34, of Bridgeport, and Francisco Ayala Jr., 24, of Ansonia, were each charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree larceny, and associated conspiracy charges, their arrest reports show.

On Feb. 2 at approximately 3:29 a.m., police officers responded to a report of a burglary at the Mobile gas station in the 200 block of Boston Post Road, police said.

The front glass doors were pried open, resulting in property damage estimated at $750, police said.

Surveillance footage showed three suspects in a black BMW SUV with stolen license plates, police said.

Two of the suspects, armed with yellow crowbars, entered the store area of the gas station and stole cash and merchandise, while a third suspect acted as a lookout, police said, noting a financial loss of over $1,000.

Shortly after, the same suspects targeted a diner in Fairfield using a similar method, police added.

"Following a thorough investigation, in collaboration with the Fairfield Police Department and with assistance from the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, the suspects — Francisco Ayala Jr. and Edgar Crespo — were apprehended on February 20, 2025," police said. "Evidence, including distinctive clothing, yellow crowbars, and a detailed confession, linked the suspects to multiple burglaries across the state."

Detectives applied for and were granted arrest warrants for Ayala and Crespo with a court-set bond of $200,000, and they were formally charged on July 10.

The two men are scheduled to appear in court on July 24.