Burglary Suspects Apprehended in Haddam

On Tuesday, December 6 at 1:41 p.m., the Connecticut State Police, Troop F in Westbrook received a phone call from a Beaver Meadow Road, Haddam resident, reporting suspicious activity in progress at a house next door.

It was reported that an unfamiliar black Nissan pick-up truck had been backed up to the side door of an unoccupied home, and two men were in process of removing items from the dwelling. The neighbor was able to obtain the license plate number on the truck and turned it in to police.

Shortly thereafter, police were able to locate and stop the pick-up truck in the area of Turkey Hill Road.

Police discovered several metal household items, including three cast-iron radiators that had been cut out of the home and a filing cabinet. Also found in the bed of the truck was a 25" television set and some vintage stamp collector's books.

The suspects told police that a "contractor" had given them permission to be at the house, which was later determined to be a false statement.

The two men were arrested and taken into custody.

The driver of the truck, Charles Rodriguez, 56, of 245 Woodbury Circle, Middletown and his passenger, Matthew Francis, 42, of 903 Bartholomew Road, Middletown were both charged with 3rd-degree burglary, 3rd-degree larceny, 2nd-degree criminal trespass, 2nd-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit 3rd-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit 3rd-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit 2nd-degree criminal trespass, and conspiracy to commit 2nd-degree criminal mischief.

Rodriguez was also charged with operating an unregistered motor-vehicle, failure to maintain insurance and misuse of plates.

They were both released on $25,000 surety bonds and scheduled to appear at Middlesex Superior Court in Middletown on 1/6/12.