2 arrested after Meriden smoke shop burglary

2 arrested after Meriden smoke shop burglary.

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) – Meriden police say a smoke shop burglary suspect and his alleged get-away driver were arrested earlier this week.

Officers were dispatched to the LVL Up Smoke Shop at 680 N. Colony Road for a burglar alarm sounding around 10 p.m. on June 18.

On scene, an officer determined a man was inside the closed business but waited outside for backup to arrive. Before more officers arrived, the suspect exited the store and fled into woods to the rear of the building when he saw the officer, who had commanded him to stop.

While fleeing, police said the suspect dropped a large garbage container and a cash register.

The officer chased the suspect, but lost sight of him in the woods. A K9 officer was deployed and the man was eventually apprehended. At that time, police said he was found to be in possession of brass knuckles which opened into a knife.

While the man was being tracked, officers also confronted a woman in a white BMW who they said was circling the area in a suspicious way. Officers believed was there to pick up the burglary suspect. When approached, she claimed to have no knowledge of the incident.

Police said they determined the man had broken into the business through the ceiling of the building and the woman was in fact there to pick him up, as the suspect had contacted her cell phone.

Williams Maaseiyh, 28, of Norwich, was charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief, carrying a dangerous weapon, and interfering with a police officer. His bond was set at $100,000.

Police said Maaseiyh also had two outstanding PRAWN warrants out of New London, with bonds totaling 1.25 million, for charges of first-degree assault, various firearm charges, and burglary, larceny and criminal mischief.

Latazia Cluff, 28, of New London, was charged with interfering with a police officer and given a $10,000 bond.