Man Armed With Gun Burglarizing Cars Arrested by East Haven Cops

EAST HAVEN, CT - On 11/13/2018 officers were dispatched to a residence on Dell Drive for a report of an attempted burglary to a motor vehicle complaint. Upon officer’s arrival, it was determined that a black male with a dark beard and “dreads” tied into a pony tail wearing a hooded sweatshirt was circulating the neighborhood trying car doors looking for unlocked cars to enter.

The complainant was able to provide officers with video footage of the suspect on her property. Officers searched the area for the individual but were unsuccessful.

A second complaint of suspicious activity came in an hour later in the area of Dell Dr. and Foxon Road. The description of the suspect was the same as the previous complaint. Officers saturated the area again and located a male subject matching the provided description walking east on Foxon Road in the area of Season’s Banquet Facility, 990 Foxon Road. Officers were able to positively identify the male subject, later identified as Shakreem Taft (D.O.B. 10/26/1985) as the same individual captured on surveillance video in the first complaint.

As Officers Delgado and Andino approached Taft, he became evasive and attempted to keep walking without speaking to the officers. Taft was brought to the rear of a police cruiser and became combative once officers attempted to handcuff him. After a brief struggle, Taft was brought to the ground and handcuffed. Once handcuffed, Taft stated to officers that he was in possession of a handgun.

A loaded 9mm handgun was subsequently located in the waistband of Taft’s pants. Taft was also in possession of a Ford key fob that was later matched up to a stolen Ford Fusion that was reported stolen on 09/23/2018.

That vehicle, which is currently being stored at police headquarters, was recovered on 11/12/2018 on Dell Drive. (Charges are pending for that case.) Taft was also found to be in possession of a laptop computer, several cell phones and a large amount of loose change.

Taft was transported to the East Haven Police Department for processing. He was charged with:

· Criminal attempt to Commit Burglary in the Third Degree

· Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit

· Criminal Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition

· Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree

· Interfering with an Officer

Taft was held on a $250,000.00 bond and faced a judge earlier this morning at G.A. 23, 121 Elm Street, New Haven, CT.