North Branford Man Accused Of Smash-And-Grab Theft In Fairfield: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 60-year-old North Branford man was arrested last week by Fairfield police on a warrant charging him with burglary, larceny, identity theft and related violations in connection with a smash-and-grab theft at Fairfield's Lake Mohegan in April, Patch has learned.

In addition to the above-mentioned charges, Sean McLaughlin was also charged with criminal mischief and illegal use of a payment card, according to police.

The investigation was opened on April 12, when Fairfield police received a report of a vehicle parked at Lake Mohegan with a smashed window.

"The owner told the officer that when she returned from a walk on the trails, she found her purse and wallet were taken from the passenger seat," Fairfield Police Sgt. Jenna Wellington told Patch.

Later that same day, bank cards from the wallet were used fraudulently at various stores in Bridgeport and Stratford, which led to Fairfield detectives becoming involved in the case.

"Detectives were able to use security cameras from residents near the burglary, the transactions made from the stolen bank cards, and the assistance of the Stratford Police Department to develop enough probable cause to believe Sean McLaughlin" was the suspect, according to Wellington.

On June 6, McLaughlin, who was already in custody on unrelated charges, was arrested on a warrant by police, while he was at Bridgeport Superior Court. He remains in custody in lieu of bail of $30,000, and is scheduled to appear back in court on Aug. 1.

"We would like to remind everyone not to leave valuables in their vehicles, especially not visible for anyone to see," Wellington said. "We would like to thank the members of the community who assisted with this investigation, as well as our partners at the Stratford Police Department."