Two Greenwich residents, Rosa Almonte, 36, and Rosana Catano, 55, pled not guilty through their lawyers to allegedly stealing $700 worth of merchandise from Rhythm In Rye.

 

By Tom McDermott

 

Two Greenwich residents, Rosa Almonte, 36, and Rosana Catano, 55, pled not guilty through their lawyers to allegedly stealing $700 worth of merchandise from Rhythm In Rye.

 

The cases were adjourned until December 11, pending processing of evidence and information by the Rye Police Department. The two women remained free on $250 bail.

 

But the big story may be how the quick thinking and action of Rhythm In Rye owner Renee Drummond closed the case.

 

On November 16, Drummond’s staff noticed some items, including sweaters, missing in the shop, and thought they remembered two women they had never seen before. A quick check of the security tape showed the suspects walking off with items they hadn’t paid for.

 

Drummond began to search for the pair along Purchase Street, while also alerting other shops to be on the lookout for them. Later, she showed the tape to RPD detectives and shared it with the Rye Chamber of Commerce, but the accused women could not be found at the time.

 

Perhaps trying to get a jump on Black Friday, the suspects returned to Rhythm In Rye on November 21. Drummond immediately recognized them and dialed 911. Trying not to scare off the suspects, she alerted the dispatch officer. A unit responded and officers arrested the women nearby on Purchase Street a few minutes later.