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Jamie Corso, 31, of Niantic; Mario Varriale, 43, of Branford; and Richard Smith, 30, of New Haven, were each charged with sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. Varriale was also charged with engaging police in pursuit. Each of the three was held on $7,500 bond and will appear in court on Feb. 13.
Westport police received a complaint of a shoplifting at Castle Wine & Spirits on Post Road East at about 2:15 p.m. Friday. Employees told police that a woman had stolen a bottle of liquor and hid it in a bag while her male companion distracted the store employees, according to police reports.
They provided police with a description of the suspects and their vehicle. Detective Marc Heinmiller spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of another local liquor store.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled, leading them on a chase, according to police. With the assistance of the Fairfield, Bridgeport and State Police departments, the car was stopped on I-95 in Bridgeport.
All three occupants were taken into custody and the stolen liquor was recovered, police said. Officers later determined that nothing had been taken from the second liquor store, police said.
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