United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

TWO BRIDGEPORT RESIDENTS ARRESTED IN BURGLARY OF BRIDGEPORT POLICE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced today that ANGEL MALDONADO, age 25 of Bridgeport and MARITZA ZAPATA, 32, also of Bridgeport were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bridgeport Police Department for their involvement in the burglary of the Bridgeport Police Federal Credit Union in August 2002, when over $65,000 was taken from the Credit Union. Both defendants are charged by criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Larceny and Bank Larceny. MALDONADO is being held pending a bond hearing scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2004 before United States Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport. ZAPATA was released on a non-surety bond pending further proceedings.

If indicted and thereafter convicted, each defendant faces 20 years of incarceration on the larceny charge and five years of incarceration on the conspiracy charge.

"These arrests are the direct result of excellent cooperation between federal and local law enforcement," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "I would specifically like to note the diligent efforts of Bridgeport Police Detectives Dwayne McBride, Tito Cotto, Angel Llanos and John Pribesh. Without their hard work, these arrests would not have been made."

"Despite dedicated efforts, not all cases are solved quickly," stated Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Michael J. Wolf. "This case is a good example of the perseverance of the investigators, particularly the detectives of the Bridgeport Police."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that the complaint is only a charge. The defendant is entitled to have this matter presented to a grand jury in the first instance, and if indicted, to a trial at which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bridgeport Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kari A. Dooley.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov