Cops: Fake store worker charged with carjacking

A man pretending to be a Super Stop & Shop employee was charged with carjacking the vehicle of an older woman shopping at the grocery store last Friday night, police said.

Ricky Smith, 58, of Derby Avenue in Derby, was charged with third-degree robbery, second-degree larceny and assault on an elderly person in the third-degree after he was taken into custody a short time later at a Bridgeport gas station where he had fled in the woman's car.

The incident took place in the parking lot of the store at 1160 Kings Highway Cutoff shortly after 9:15 p.m. as a 72-year-old woman was about to drive off after putting her groceries in her car.

Police said Smith, wearing a yellow jacket, similar to that worn by other Stop & Shop workers who round up shopping carriages left in the lot, approached the woman and struck her several times before pulling her by the jacket from her car. The woman fell to the ground, injuring her hip, police said, and was taken to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment. She later told police that no weapon was displayed by Smith during the incident.

Smith drove off with the woman's purse and groceries still in the car.

After nearby patrol officers were alerted to the carjacking, Sgt. Edward Weihe noticed the vehicle at the Citgo gas station at Iranistan Avenue and Fairfield avenues in Bridgeport. Smith was taken into custody at the scene without incident, police said.

Along with the car, the woman's purse was also recovered.

The victim was transported to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Smith, who police said has an extensive robbery and larceny history, was held on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear on the charges Feb. 6 in Bridgeport Superior Court.