Skipping Bail Already? Jersey City Men Caught in Stolen Truck at Riverside, CT, Shopping Center
- 8 hours ago
- 1 min read
Two Jersey City, NJ men were arrested on Thursday, July 2, 2026, after an automated license plate reader flagged their stolen vehicle near I-95. Greenwich Police stopped the vehicle at Riverside Commons around 10:30 pm and detained Mahmoud M. Atoun (21) and Zeyad Mohamed Atoun (23).
According to police, both men provided conflicting accounts regarding where they were going and why they were driving the truck, which was reported stolen from Penske. Both were charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny.
The Bail System Friction
The aftermath of the arrest highlights ongoing local frustrations with the court system's handling of out-of-state suspects:
Mahmoud M. Atoun: Faced Class B felonies with a bond set at $3,000. He utilized Connecticut's 7% cash bond rule, posted $210, and was released. He failed to appear for his July 17 court date, and a judge has already ordered his rearrest.
Zeyad Mohamed Atoun: His bond was set at $5,000. He is currently scheduled to return to Stamford Superior Court on August 18, 2026.
Between the Lines: While high-tech license plate readers allow local police to intercept interstate property thieves, Connecticut's bail system lets those same felony suspects buy their freedom for just $210 and skip town.