2 Charged In Organized Retail Thefts In North Haven: State Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — Two people have been arrested in connection with organized retail thefts in North Haven, according to Connecticut State Police.

Police said a detective with the Connecticut State Police Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force (SOCITF) was alerted in April 2024 by a New England Regional Organized Retail Crime Investigator for a large home supply store of a series of thefts occurring across the New England region.

The investigator reported that a man and a woman were responsible for the thefts, according to police.

Through video surveillance footage, images, and records of multiple previous apprehensions, police said the investigator identified one of the suspects as 39-year-old David Pasquariello of North Haven.

The detective also found that throughout the series of retail thefts, Pasquariello would enter the department store while his female accomplice remained in the vehicle, described as a silver Honda Accord, “waiting to assist in securing the stolen items once he returned,” according to police.

“Pasquariello would quickly grab various items, such as wire, light fixtures, tools, and electrical breakers, and exit the store within minutes,” police wrote in a news release. “Additionally, the detective learned that Pasquariello frequently altered his clothing and changed the vehicle’s license plate in an attempt to evade law enforcement identification.”

Detectives from SOCITF were notified around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday that Pasquariello had returned to the home supply store in North Haven, according to police.

Police said Pasquariello was seen leaving the store with eight boxes of electrical outlets, valued at $1,791.

“Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage, confirmed Pasquariello's identity, and noted his clothing,” police wrote. “With assistance from New Haven Police Officers, Detectives successfully located the Honda Accord involved and initiated a traffic stop on this vehicle. In response, the driver of the Honda pulled into a local grocery store parking lot in New Haven.”

During the stop, police said detectives confirmed that the passenger was Pasquariello and the driver was identified as 40-year-old Aileen Johnson of Guilford. Pasquariello and Johnson were both arrested.

“During the on-scene investigation, Detectives discovered the stolen electrical outlets in the backseat of the vehicle,” police wrote. “While retrieving the stolen items, they also observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, which was subsequently seized as evidence.

“Additionally, it was revealed that Pasquariello had multiple court-issued warrants for his arrest due to violations of his probation.”

Police said the New England Regional Organized Retail Crime Investigator also reported that Pasquariello has been identified in more than 200 documented theft or attempted theft incidents across New England, with the value of stolen merchandise exceeding $365,000.

Pasquariello was charged with organized retail theft, fourth-degree larceny, illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, and use of drug paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Pasquariello was separately charged with three counts of violation of probation. He was held in lieu of a bonds totaling $45,000 and was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for those charges.

Johnson was charged with conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny. She was released after posting a $500 bond with a court date of March 18.