WESTPORT — A Bridgeport man has been charged with stealing power tools worth thousands of dollars from a work van last year.

Jimmie Bennett, 54, faces local charges of first-degree larceny, third-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, plus first-degree failure to appear on a warrant issued by Branford police.

The theft took place sometime between the evening of last April 23 and the next morning, when tools were reported stolen from a van parked at a Post Road East address, police said.

Video surveillance footage of the crime scene showed two men breaking into the van about 8:15 p.m. April 23, police said. 

Investigators used the surveillance evidence, as well as information shared by another area police department, to identify Bennett as one of the suspected thieves, according to the report.

A warrant was issued for Bennett’s arrest, and he was taken into custody March 25 by Westport police.

He was released after posting $25,000 bond on the Westport charges, and an additional $1,000 on the Branford charge.

He was arraigned March 28 on the Westport charges at state Superior Court in Stamford.