2 people arrested after burglary of Meriden smokehouse

2 people arrested after burglary of Meriden smokehouse.

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

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

At the scene, an officer determined that a man was inside the closed business, but waited outside for backup to arrive. Before other officers arrived, the suspect exited the store and fled into the woods behind the building when he saw the officer who had ordered him to stop.

While fleeing, police said the suspect dropped a large trash can and a cash register.

The officer pursued 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 in possession of brass knuckles that opened into a knife shape.

While the man was being followed, officers also confronted a woman in a white BMW who they said was circling the area suspiciously. The officers thought they were there to arrest the burglary suspect. When questioned, she claimed to have no knowledge of the incident.

Police said they determined the man broke into the business through the ceiling of the building and the woman was actually there to pick him up because the suspect contacted her cell phone.

Williams Maaseiyh, 28, of Norwich, was charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree theft, 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 has two outstanding PRAWN arrest warrants in New London, with bonds totaling 1.25 million, for first-degree assault charges, various firearms-related charges, as well as burglary, theft and criminal mischief.

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