TRUMBULL, CT – Three people were taken into custody at the Trumbull Marriott shortly after 11:15 a.m. following an approximately hour-long standoff involving Trumbull Police and the United States Marshals Service.
Police identified the individuals as Bryce Laister, 34, of North Haven; Tyler Paolini, 32, of Trumbull; and Alexus Urban, 30, of Old Saybrook.
Police said officers and members of the U.S. Marshals Service went to the Hawley Lane hotel after learning Laister and Paolini had checked in the previous evening and spent the night there. Authorities had an arrest warrant for Laister.
According to police, the three threatened to shoot officers and members of the U.S. Marshals Service as authorities arrived.
Police said Laister and Paolini are connected to a multi-state commercial theft ring believed to be responsible for stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of power tools from businesses throughout New England.
Portions of the Marriott were evacuated, and the parking lot was locked down while police attempted to negotiate the surrender of the three individuals. All three eventually surrendered, but police said they caused extensive damage to the hotel room before being taken into custody.
Laister was charged with Threatening in the First Degree, Interfering with an Officer, and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. He was held on a $100,000 bond.
Trumbull Police also served Laister with a warrant charging him with multiple misdemeanor motor vehicle violations carrying an additional $15,000 bond. Police said he is also facing federal Violation of Parole charges.
Paolini was charged with Interfering with an Officer and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree and was held on a $100,000 bond. He was also charged as a Fugitive From Justice and held on an additional $500,000 bond. Police said he is facing extradition to New Hampshire on several larceny warrants.
Urban was charged with Interfering with an Officer, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $25,000.
Police said Urban was also found to have two active warrants from Groton for Failure to Appear in Court related to possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation into the multi-state commercial theft ring remains ongoing. Police said two vehicles were seized at the hotel and detectives are working to obtain search warrants.
Laister and Paolini are also suspected of being connected to several additional thefts of tools from retailers throughout Connecticut.