Pair Accused of Attempted Bank Larceny [Updated]

Updated 9:53 p.m.:

Eric J. Christian was charged with criminal attempt at third-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny, seven counts of third-degree identity theft, trafficking in personal information, criminal impersonation, interferring with an officer, and violation of probation. Christian was held in lieu of posting combined bonds of $175,000, including a court set bond of $25,000 for violation of probation.

Candace M. Zulawski was charged with third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third degree larceny. Zulawski was held in lieu of posting $10,000 bond.

Westport Police said neither suspect posted bond and both will be arraigned in state Superior Court in Norwalk Thursday.

Original Story

Police Wednesday morning arrested a Norwalk man and a West Haven woman for allegedly attempting to withdraw money from a bank account that had insufficient funds.

In a news release, Capt. Sam Arciola said the bank had a warning on the account and declined the withdrawal. He said a bank employee recorded the license plate of the car they left in and provided it to police along with a description of the suspects.

Arciola said they drove away from the bank on Post Road West, and a broadcast was made of the plate. He said Officer Ned Batlin reported observing the vehicle on Post Road East and followed the suspects into the rear parking lot at 728 Post Road East.

As Batlin approached the vehicle, the male driver, later identified Eric John Christian, fled into woods in the area of Hillandale Road, Arciola said. He said the female passenger, later identified as Candace Zulawski, stayed in the vehicle and was taken into custody.

Numerous Westport officers and detectives set up a perimeter around the area where Christian fled. They were joined by several state troopers including a trooper with a dog.

Arciola said that after a two-hour search, Christian was located behind a Hillandale Road residence.

He said evidence seized from their vehicle revealed other property-related crimes that the Detective Bureau is now investigating.

In addition to the charges Westport Police lodge against him, Christian, 28, of 16 Michael St., was also wanted on a warrant obtained on June 12 by adult probation for violation of probation. As well, Darien police hold a warrant for him for felony identity theft and forgery.

State Judicial Branch records show Christian was arrested in June 2008 and found guilty of fourth-degree larceny, criminal impersonation and violation of probation. They show he was arrested in December 2009 and found guilty of first-degree larceny and violation of probation. And they show he was arrested in July 2010 and found guilty of second-degree larceny.

Arciola said Zulawski is 22 years old. State records show a Candace Zulawski born in 1990 was arrested on March 23, 2012, by Wallingford Police, charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor, interferring with an officer, and sixth-degree larceny.

Her case is awaiting disposition in state Superior Court in Meriden.

Arciola said Westport's specific charges against Christian and Zulawski will be made known in a subsequent news release.