Trio break into only occupied home on the street

Fairfield, Conn. (WTNH) - Police say they've arrested three men they believe are responsible for a string of home burglaries in Fairfield over the past month.

Fairfield police are calling these "very good arrests" because while they say they were caught burglarizing one home, they believe this trio is responsible for breaking into many others in this area.

"She sees someone in the back of the house breaking in to one of the windows," explained Sgt. Sue Lussier. "He had a sharp tool and he was trying to break the window to gain entry into the house."

Police caught these three men, one from Fairfield and two from Norwalk, outside the house on Redding Road.

"This was the first burglary in Fairfield where someone was actually home and occupied in the residence and they were in the backyard trying to force entry. Every other house was unoccupied," said Sgt. Lussier.

Police believe 25-year-old Joseph Johnson from Fairfield was the ring leader who broke into at least 5 homes in the area over the past month.

"He's been active in this area we think he'll be connected to several other burglaries," Sgt. Lussier said.

When police pulled over Johnson and his cohorts, Shawn and Anthony Kelly, they found lots of jewelry in their car.

"Two of them stayed back in the car and were sort of the lookout while the other one went in and broke into the houses," Sgt. Lussier explained.

Police believe they could also be behind several car break-ins in Fairfield and Southport.