Police arrest Westport man after reports of several stolen packages, shoplifting

Police have arrested a Westport man on several charges after reports of multiple thefts.

According to Westport Police, on Monday, Detectives executed a search and an arrest warrant at Cornell Road. John A. Taylor III, 51 years old, was placed under arrest without incident.

Since November 2022, officers had been taking reports of mail and packages that were stolen from mailboxes along Cornell Road, Judge’s Way and Perseverance Lane. Police say that the majority of the items taken were Christmas presents and mail containing personal information. Detectives used a variety of methods to capture the person(s) responsible for the thefts and eventually they were able to identify Taylor as the individual responsible.

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned Taylor had obtained banking information from a neighbor and used this information to fund his PayPal account. He was also captured on surveillance cameras shoplifting at Lee’s Market.

The search warrant resulted in the recovery of numerous reported stolen items. In addition, numerous articles of clothing, hats and accessories, believed to be stolen, were also seized.

Taylor was arraigned on four counts of Larceny Under $1200, Identity Fraud, Attempting to Commit a Crime, Shoplifting and Receiving Stolen Property Under $1200.00.

Westport PD asks if you have been a victim of theft and have not reported it to the police to contact Detective Turner Ryan.