Burglary At Fairfield Fire Station, Man Charged: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A New Jersey man was recently charged twice in the same day by Fairfield police — first after he was seen with a stolen car and drugs, and later when he was accused of burglarizing a local fire station, according to law enforcement.

Lawrence Crook, 37, of Jersey City, is charged with first-degree larceny, drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession, third-degree burglary and first-degree trespassing in connection with his arrests Oct. 8, police said.

The first incident occurred about 10:15 a.m., when police were notified that a man had removed a dumpster from a fenced-in area in a parking lot in the 100 block of Rennell Drive, and had parked a black sport utility vehicle inside the fencing, according to law enforcement. The man was also seen loading several blue and white striped bags into the SUV, and, when confronted by a witness, fled on foot, police said.

Law enforcement discovered the SUV was reported stolen from a dealership in Queens, New York, and found the man — confirmed to be Crook — in the 300 block of Pequot Avenue, according to police, who said Crook was in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The striped bags were laundry bags stolen from a nearby hotel, police said.

Crook was arrested, charged and released that afternoon, having posted $300 bond, according to police. Less than an hour after his release, he was arrested again and charged, after he twice entered the fire department’s headquarters in the 100 block of Reef Road, located across the street from the police department, according to law enforcement.

Crook was first found wandering the apparatus floor of the fire station, according to police. When questioned by a fire lieutenant, he left, but minutes later was discovered to have returned and was rummaging through a fireman’s items, at which point police were called, law enforcement said.

Crook remains in custody and is set to appear in court Dec. 4, according to court records.