At approximately 2:15 pm, Westport officers responded to Castle Wine & Spirits on a report of a shoplifting complaint. The female suspect reportedly stole a bottle of liquor and hid it in a bag while her male companion distracted other employees. Store employees provided dispatch with a description of the suspects and suspect vehicle. Detective Heinmiller spotted the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of another local liquor store. Other officers attempted to stop the vehicle who led police on a brief pursuit. With the assistance of Fairfield, Bridgeport and CT State Police, the vehicle was stopped on Interstate 95 in Bridgeport. Three suspects were taken into custody and the stolen liquor was recovered. It was later determined that nothing was stolen from the second store.

The following suspects were arrested and charged with 53a-125b Larceny 6th and 53a-48

Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 6th):

Jamie Corso, 31, of Niantic, CT,  Mario Varriale, 43, of Branford, CT, Richard Smith, 30, of New Haven, CT

Varriale was additionally charged with Engaging Police in Pursuit 14-223(b). All three are scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on Friday, February 13th at 10:00 a.m. and each is held in lieu of $7,500 bond.