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Stamford Police were called to the Sprint store at 53 High Ridge Road on Thursday afternoon by employees who became suspicious about two men trying to buy cellphones and other electronic equipment, Sgt. Robert Shawinsky said.
A store employee was able to get the license plate of the vehicle before the two men left, Shawinsky said. The vehicle was heading north on High Ridge Road where it was spotted by a police officer, who began to follow it, he said.
Aware that the police were on their tail, the suspects sped up, passing vehicles in front of them, including some in the oncoming southbound, lane, Shawinsky said.
The suspects' vehicle, with Stamford Police in pursuit, jumped on to the northbound side of the Merritt Parkway and raced away at speeds of up to 100 mph, Shawinsky said.
However, Fairfield County's heavy traffic forced the vehicle to slow and the suspects' vehicle stopped on the shoulder between exit 35 and 36, police said.
Stamford police officers conducted a felony arrest, Shawinsky said, which means they drew their guns and ordered the men to place their hands out the windows to show they weren't armed.
After the men were arrested, officers found numerous electronic items, all in their original packaging, including cellphones, in the vehicle, Shawinsky said.
David Kelly, 32, of 28 Duffy St., Springfield Mass., and Bankole Awosika, 29, of 263 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, were each charged with two counts of second-degree theft and third-degree forgery and conspiracy.
Additionally Kelly was charged with being a fugitive from justice in Massachusetts after police learned there was a warrant for his arrest. He was also charged with several motor vehicle counts in connection with the pursuit. He was held on two separate bonds that totaled $150,000. Bond was set at $25,000 for Awosika.
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