Stamford man charged with stealing bushes from retired cop

Alan Buzzallino, 37, of Stamford, was charged with stealing shrubs from a nearby neighbor's yard on Sunday Alan Buzzallino, 37, of Stamford, was charged with stealing shrubs from a nearby neighbor's yard on Sunday Photo: Stamford Police Department / Contributed Photo Photo: Stamford Police Department / Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stamford man charged with stealing bushes from retired cop 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

STAMFORD — A city man was charged with allegedly digging up and stealing two bushes from the yard of a newly-retired city police officer Sunday afternoon, and had to be restrained by the older cop when he tried to drive away with the shrubs.

The wife of the retired officer was standing at her front door when she noticed some dirt flying on her driveway. She stepped out with her dog and saw a man throw two evergreen bushes planted next the driveway into the back of his Toyota and drive away, a police report of the incident said. The retired officer got into his car, found the Toyota pulled over on Wyndover Lane and saw the bushes peeking out the trunk.

The retired officer, 64, confronted the man driving the car - later identified as Alan Buzzallino, 37, of Greenleaf Drive. Buzzallino denied stealing the bushes and said they had been bought for him by another man. He also said his friend had dug them up and he had no idea where his friend was located, the police report said.

The retired cop is not being named by The Advocate because he was the victim of an alleged crime.

The officer told Buzzallino not to leave the scene because he had already called the police. But when Buzzallino got into his car and was about to drive away, the retired officer grabbed him by his polo shirt and pulled him out of the car. Buzzallino began grabbing for a rear pocket and the cop pulled his gun until he could determine he was no longer under threat. Buzzallino, who lives about five blocks from the retired officer’s house, was put down twice or three times by the older cop and held until police arrived.

Buzzallino was charged with sixth-degree larceny and assault on a victim over 60. Sgt. Kelly Connelly said the shrubs were valued at about $100 each.

While Buzzallino was being transported to police headquarters, he kept saying that he was going to sue the police department and all the officers involved in his arrest. A while later, a police officer heard him say, “I’m sorry. I’m a really nice guy and shouldn’t have taken those things, but I’m still going to sue you,” the police report said.

At Buzzallino’s arraignment Monday, Judge Auden Grogins ordered him held in lieu of a $10,000 court appearance bond, and he was released soon after. Buzzallino, whose back was visible because his black polo shirt had a large tear in it, was scheduled to return to court Nov. 13.

Defense attorney Christian Bujdud declined comment.

jnickerson@scni.com; stamfordadvocate.com/policereports