Westport Man Arrested for Breaking Into Athletic Shoe Factory

A 19 year-old Westport man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly breaking into Athletic Shoe Factory on Post Road East and attempting to steal merchandise, according to police.

Officers responded to an alarm activation at the business at approximately 6:20 p.m. and noticed a window propped open at the back of the building, police said. Officers also observed merchandise from the store stacked on the ground outside the store. When officers searched the building, it was found empty, according to police.

As the search continued, officers found additional merchandise, including a sweatshirt and a duffel bag located behind the ASF Outdoors store, police said. K9 Officer James Loomer and Police Service Dog Koda tracked from the rear window of the building behind neighboring stores and out to Maple Avenue South. According to police, the track continued to Post Road East, then west towards the Pier One parking lot. In the lot, officers located Jonathan Loeser of 7 Bonnie Brook Road, who was attempting to walk away, police said.

After officers connected evidence from the burglary scene directly to Loeser, he was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny. His bond is set at $10,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on April 10.