Another grainy image and another suspect identified by the Bridgeport Police Department. This time, a combination of the public along with the work of security specialists at the Meadowbrook Mall did the trick.

 

Bridgeport Police Officer K.M. "Kris" Burgess reported that on Feb. 12 a male suspect was being sought for an alleged shoplifting at the mall’s GameStop location. The individual in question stole from the city store an Xbox One X gaming console at around 10 a.m., which is when the mall opens.

 

All Burgess initially had to work on were surveillance images. The images were grainy and could be described of poor quality at best. However, it worked.

 

As a result, a 27-year-old from Clarksburg is being looked at. The investigation is ongoing and Burgess said criminal history and other items are being reviewed.

 

“We were actually able to identify the suspect thanks to some investigating from the head of mall security Matt Moore and his associate Shane Kukacka, as well as Target Loss Prevention Dillon Given,” said Burgess. “I spoke to both of them on the phone and they advised me they had a run in with the suspect from a previous case probably about a year ago and with them working together with the police we were able to figure out who the suspect is.

 

It didn’t just end there. Despite the poor quality of the photo, Burgess said he received numerous phone calls on it. The phone calls backed the identity acquired through work with Mall officials.

 

“Although we were able to identify the suspect, I have been getting phone calls from people who are able to identify him from the grainy picture that we provided,” said Burgess. “I can’t emphasize enough how much I appreciate the public’s help on cases such as this. Any information we receive regarding cases like this we take very seriously and look into.”

 

Burgess reiterated how important it is for the public to assist and how much it is appreciated.

 

“I can’t emphasize enough how nice it is to live in a community that so is willing to help with cases such as this,” said Burgess.

 

The property taken had a value of $399. Burgess said the shoplifting charge for a case involving an item costing that much is a misdemeanor. However, in the event the suspect is found guilty, and if he has two previous shoplifting convictions it then becomes a felony.

 

Editor's Note: Shown above are two of the images that eventually led to Bridgeport Police being able to identify the suspect in a an alleged shoplifting case.