Desmond Ellison.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A coordinated operation by Connecticut State Police led to the arrest of a man allegedly tied to a multi-state retail theft ring responsible for stealing more than $135,000 in merchandise, authorities said.

The bust happened around 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, when members of the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) and the CSP Aviation Unit tracked three suspects believed to be connected to a New England theft organization active for the past 90 days, according to police.

Investigators said the group had brandished firearms toward loss prevention employees and was previously involved in multiple police pursuits.

After receiving information that the suspects were near a department store in Glastonbury, detectives responded while the Aviation Unit established aerial surveillance of their vehicle.

When the suspects fled from police again, officers disengaged for safety, but the Aviation Unit continued tracking the car as it traveled into New Britain, police said.

The vehicle stopped at a fast-food restaurant, where detectives moved in. The driver, Desmond Ellison, 25, of Meriden, ran off but was caught after a short chase, according to state police.

He was allegedly found with a controlled substance and was charged with interfering with an officer (C.G.S. 53a-167a) and possession of a controlled substance (C.G.S. 21a-279). Ellison was released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 19, police said.

Meanwhile, the two other suspects took off in the vehicle but were tracked by the Aviation Unit and caught in Meriden after two separate foot pursuits involving Meriden Police officers, according to authorities.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and the information obtained from the arrests will help support multiple local law enforcement agencies across New England.