Police Apprehend Youthful Break-In Suspect

From the Middletown Police Department

The Middletown Police Department, over the last several months, has been investigating a large number of reported suspicious incidents in and around the area of Wesleyan University. The incidents reported are that of burglaries to dorms and residences, attempted burglaries, suspicious persons on and around the campus, a large number of break-ins to vehicles, larcenies and a street robbery in which a male suspect demanded personal items from a citizen walking down the street.

Since January of 2009, we have had approx 50 incidents of this nature reported to MPD. Arrests have been made on some of these incidents and others are pending.

Recently, over the past two days, we responded to 5 residential nighttime burglaries in which the patrol division responded to and attempted to track down the suspect(s). The Patrol Division worked along side of the Detective Bureau and persons of interest were identified during these investigations. Currently the Detective Bureau is working on tracking down these leads and ultimately making arrests for these incidents.

During the late hours of 4-30-09, into the early morning of 5-1-09, the Middletown Police, with the assistance of Wesleyan Public Safety officers, observed two individuals attempting to break into vehicles in the Vine St. area. Officers tracked down one of the individuals and located a backpack that he was observed throwing just prior to the apprehension. The backpack contained approx. 20 suspected stolen items consisting of GPS navigational equipment, car stereos, portable Sony Play Stations and currency. The 17 year old was arrested and charged with Larceny 6th and conspiracy to commit Larceny 6th. Numerous other charges are pending for the 17 year old and other arrests are expected as well. The 17 year old was given a $5,000.00 non-surety bond with a court date of 5-14-09.

Officers attempted to contact owners of the vehicles that were determined to be tampered with. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Middletown Police Department if it is determined that their car was a target of these break-ins.

These are on-going investigations and no further information can be given on the 17 year old suspect due to his age.

We urge citizens that reside in this area to contact the Middletown Police Department and report any suspicious persons/circumstances that may be related to these types of incidents. All information provided by the public will be of great assistance towards the on-going investigations. The Middletown Police Department’s Patrol Division and Detective Bureau have been working very well with Wesleyan Public Safety and will continue to work with them on these types of incidents.

Citizens with any information should contact the Middletown Police Department @ 860-344-3200.