Three charged in connection with Fairfield vehicle burglaries after chase

FAIRFIELD — Following a chase with police, three people were charged early Wednesday in connection with a rash of vehicle burglaries reported on various streets in town earlier this month.

Fairfield police Chief Tom Gould said Wednesday that just before 6 a.m. Waterville police called Fairfield officers to help with a report of suspicious activity on College Avenue near the Waterville-Fairfield town lines. Fairfield police officers Nolan Allen and Chad Morrison responded to the Waterville location and found two people suspected of various crimes, and the pair fled from officers.

“Our officers responded after hearing the call on the radio. They observed two subjects matching the description, and attempted to stop and talk to them. They ran off, a perimeter was set up and they were located that way,” Gould said.

With Waterville police assisting Fairfield officers, a 14-year-old boy was found running near Burrill Street in Fairfield, Gould said. The second person was seen climbing into the trunk of a vehicle and officers followed it, eventually conducting a traffic stop on Savage Street in Fairfield.

Gould said Wednesday’s incident occurred near the Lawrence High School complex on High Street, the school was never in danger and no request for a lockdown occurred, Gould said.

Jonathian M. Viles, 19, who had no known address, was charged with 10 counts of burglary of a motor vehicle; eight counts of theft; one count of theft of a firearm; criminal mischief; violating conditions of release; and refusing to submit to arrest. The most serious charge, a Class B count of theft of a firearm, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Also arrested at the scene Wednesday at the traffic stop was Trinity Shaw, 18, of Fairfield, who was charged with hindering apprehension. The driver of the vehicle, Melissa Burdette, 34, of Fairfield, also was charged with hindering apprehension. Viles was taken to the Somerset County Jail in Madison and was being held without bail, according to Gould. Shaw posted bail at the Fairfield Police Department and was scheduled to appear in court June 12. Burdette was issued a summons to appear in court at that same time and date, he said.

The state Department of Health and Human Services was contacted about the 14-year-old boy, who remained in protective custody Wednesday, according to Gould.

The vehicle burglaries reported to police April 10 occurred primarily on High, West and Montcalm streets, as well as Military and Woodman avenues, Fairfield police Officer Casey Dugas said at the time. Dugas, the department’s public information officer, said at least 10 burglaries had been reported and all were associated with vehicles left unlocked.

Computers, coins and other items of value were taken, he said. At the time, police were asking anyone who may have had surveillance cameras operating in those areas to contact police.