Vehicle Chase Ends In Arrest Of Shoplifting Suspect, A Stratford Woman: Greenwich PD

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford woman wanted in connection with shoplifting incidents in CT in which she stole over $2,000 worth of items was arrested in Greenwich last week following a brief vehicle chase, according to police.

Falynn Arslan, 38, was charged with reckless driving; engaging police in a pursuit; organized retail theft less than $10,000; conspiracy to commit organized retail theft; possession of burglar tools; third-degree larceny; and third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny.

On Sept. 17 at approximately 3 p.m., Greenwich plainclothes officers were alerted that a suspect vehicle in shoplifting investigations from neighboring towns was in Greenwich, police said in an arrest report.

Officers located the parked suspect vehicle, and as it began to drive away, an officer in an unmarked vehicle followed it and relayed information to bicycle officers, police said.

"Bike officers initiated a motor vehicle stop for a violation and approached the suspect vehicle. Upon the officer knocking on the dark tinted window, the operator drove away at a high rate of speed," police said. "The suspect made several erratic lane changes, nearly causing at least two collisions. A motor vehicle stop was eventually conducted when the vehicle became stuck in heavy traffic."

Police said the driver, identified as Arslan, made "several spontaneous utterances regarding that she had crewed up and was sorry. That she stole things because she needs the money."

An investigation found Arslan stole "numerous items" from a business in the Central Greenwich Business District, as well as from another business in a neighboring town, totaling over $2,000.

Police also said Arslan was in possession of a device commonly used to defeat security devices in stores, and she had several extraditable warrants stemming from larcenies and violation of probation.

Arslan was unable to post a bond of $100,000. She's scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Oct. 1.