Police Track Down Burglary Suspect

Sharp detective work led to the arrest of a burglary suspect who allegedly attempted to break into a local automotive electronics store.

According to police reports, Stratford police officers responded to (pictured), 1324 Stratford Ave., at 4:28 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, on a report of a commercial burglary in progress. Reports said the responding officers quickly secured the building and the owner provided security videos.

The officers allegedly discovered that two security cameras on the outside of the building had been reportedly stolen and a back gate was crashed in. However, the suspected burglar apparently had not been able to gain access to the inside of the business and no other items were stolen, according to reports.

Police said the security video showed a man jump the property fence and steal the two cameras. He then returned with a Mazda Protégé and used the car to crash through the security gate and a rear garage door, police said.

Detectives reportedly identified the Mazda’s license plate number from the video and tracked it to an address in West Haven, where the owner said she had no knowledge of the burglary. However, according to the reports, she had allowed an acquaintance, Jose L. Figueroa, 31, of 33 Anderson Ave., West Haven, to borrow the vehicle for several hours earlier that afternoon.

When detectives confronted Figueroa with the information that he was identified from the store security video, he reportedly admitted he committed the burglary. Reports said the two $400 cameras were recovered from the Mazda’s trunk, and damage to the gate and the garage door was estimated at $1,500.

Figueroa was charged with criminal trespass in the third degree, criminal attempt to commit burglary in the third degree and criminal mischief in the first degree.

He was held on $15,000 bond and scheduled for a court appearance on Oct. 5.

Questions about this police report may be directed to jason.bagley@patch.com.