Bethel Police Foil Attempted Burglary

BETHEL, CT — Police interrupted an alleged commercial burglary in progress shortly after 4:00 am. on Friday.

Officers on the overnight shift pulled into the parking lot of the Wheels Sunoco gas station on Stony Hill Road and noticed a red Ford Econoline van parked in front of the building, which was closed at the time. The police then observed two people dressed in black, wearing ski masks, attempting to break into the front doors, according to a release. The suspects fled on foot when they saw the police approach.

The Bethel police then called in for assistance from the Brookfield, Newtown, and Connecticut state police. The four agencies established a perimeter around the area to contain the runners.

The state police K9 trooper, Union, tracked the suspects across the town line to Newtown, and apprehended Fabian Rodriguez, 34, of Jewett Street in Ansonia, at 4:33 a.m. He was arrested on Mt. Pleasant Road in Newtown.

Rodriguez was transported to Danbury hospital where he was treated for "injuries sustained from a K9 bite," according to police.

In the course of their investigation, police determined that the van at the scene of the attempted burglary was stolen earlier that day from Bridgeport. Nothing was stolen from the store.

Rodriguez, who was in possession of a ski mask and black gloves when he was apprehended, was charged with interfering with police, attempted burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, larceny of a vehicle and criminal mischief. He is being held in lieu of bail.

The investigation is ongoing, and is expected, according to the police.