Westport police officers responded quickly and caught two suspects fleeing from a home invasion on Monday, July 2. At approximately 12:50 p.m. that day, several officers responded to 1003 Sodom Road for a report of a home invasion.

A witness told police a man fled in a tan colored vehicle, and she provided officers with a description of the suspect. She told police she was inside her home when a man entered and demanded money. 

The man went with her through areas of the house searching for cash and took approximately $180 from her after he allegedly punched her in the face.

Officer Kyle Fernandes located a similar vehicle minutes later on Hixbridge Road. Investigators brought the victim to the suspect for identification. The male suspect was identified as Jayson Shute, age 30 of Warwick, R.I. He was also with a female driver, who was identified as Tonya Gustafson, age 30, of West Warwick, R.I.

Both were arrested, and the $180, in $20 bills, was located inside the woman’s clothing.  Investigators later located a shirt which had been thrown out of the vehicle as it fled the scene, which matched the clothing description the victim had provided to police.

Both were charged with breaking and entering in the daytime, placing a person in fear, and unarmed robbery, and the female was charged with driving with a suspended license. The male was also charged with assault and battery on the female homeowner.

“This was not a random crime, and the suspect made comments to the victim looking for specific items inside the home,” said Detective Jeff Majewski.