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Westport man accused of stealing packages since before the holidays


Westport police provide a photo of 51-year-old John Taylor. (Westport police photo)
Westport police provide a photo of 51-year-old John Taylor. (Westport police photo)
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A Westport resident is accused of stealing mail from the neighborhood he lives in and shoplifting at a local market.

Westport police said they received several reports for months of mail and packages stolen from mailboxes along Cornell Road, Judges Way, and Perseverance Lane.

A majority of the items taken were Christmas presents and mail with personal information on it, according to police.

John Taylor III, 53, was arrested on Monday.

During their investigation, detectives learned Taylor got banking information from a neighbor and used the information to fund his PayPal account.

Police said Taylor is also caught on camera shoplifting at Lee's Market in Westport.

"Everybody around here has anxiety and stress over him," said one Westport resident who didn't want her name or face on camera.

Police recovered several reported stolen items from Taylor including clothing, hats, and accessories.

Taylor was arraigned on four counts of larceny under $1,200, identity fraud, attempting to commit a crime, shoplifting and receiving property under $1,200.

Residents said after one day, Taylor is back in the neighborhood.

"We were definitely relieved and then today he got dropped off and we were like here we are again, back to worrying and stressing out and what is he going to do next," said the resident.

Westport firefighters also confirmed on Facebook that Taylor is not employed by Westport Fire Department, contrary to what he seems to be putting on his social media pages.

Police asked any residents who have been a victim of theft and haven't reported it, to contact them.

NBC 10's Molly Levine and Samantha Latos contributed to this report.

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