Suspect Tangles With Fairfield Police Officers After Attempted Larceny

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 42-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested on attempted larceny and resisting arrest charges last week, after Fairfield police said the suspect tried to steal items from a Walgreens and tussled with officers who tried to take him into custody, Patch has learned. The suspect and an unnamed officer suffered minor injuries in the scuffle.

In addition to criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny and interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, Alex Simko was also charged third-degree criminal mischief in connection with the Feb. 28 incident at the pharmacy on Kings Highway in Fairfield.

The incident began with the manager of the Walgreens contacted police about a man who was "attempting to remove security tags from electronic items in an effort to defeat the store’s security measures," according to Sgt. Jenna Wellington.

When the suspect, later identified as Simko, noticed store employees watching him, he abandoned the items and left.

"As Simko exited the store, a uniformed Fairfield Police officer in a marked patrol vehicle observed him in the parking lot and ordered him to stop," Wellington told Patch. "Instead, Simko attempted to flee on his bicycle. The officer, on foot, caught up to him and brought him to a stop, but Simko resisted and refused to comply. A struggle ensued until additional officers arrived to assist in taking him into custody."

During the struggle, the officer sustained minor injuries to his wrist and legs, Wellington said, while Simko also "reported pain in his wrists, shoulder, back, and dizziness." He was taken to an area hospital for treatment, and was released to police custody the same day.

At police headquarters, Simko "provided multiple false identities."

"Officers were able to confirm his true identity through fingerprinting, revealing eight active warrants out of Bridgeport, Fairfield, Waterbury, and Milford for various offenses, including violation of probation, failure to appear, and domestic violence charges," Wellington said.

Simko was held in lieu of bail of $44,000, and has court dates in Bridgeport Superior Court, Milford Superior Court and Waterbury Superior Court on March 14, 20 and 21, respectively.

"The Fairfield Police Department commends the responding officers for their professionalism and swift response in safely apprehending Simko despite his attempts to evade and resist arrest," Wellington told Patch. "Their quick thinking and coordinated efforts ensured the safety of all involved and reflect the department’s commitment to protecting the community."