East Haven Man Charged In 'Active' Commercial Building Burglary: EHPD

EAST HAVEN, CT — Police chased but at first lost the stolen silver BMW they say was driven by an East Haven man who'd just "actively" robbed a Bradley Street business. The man, 56, described to police as having a goatee and wearing glasses, was later caught and charged.

Police said that John Kraszewski was driving a stolen car and had burglarized a commercial building in the 300 block of Bradley Avenue. According to East Haven police spokesperson, Capt. Joseph M. Murgo, the East Haven Public Safety Dispatch center got a call from a person reporting a burglary; the man with the goatee was "actively stealing items."

Police got there and saw the BMW leaving the scene, but quickly lost sight of it after it fled at a high rate of speed after attempts to stop it failed, Murgo said. It was later determined that the BMW used in the burglary had been stolen, he said.

Photos of the suspect and the vehicle used in the burglary were given to officers who "quickly developed a suspect," Murgo said, "later identified" as Kraszewski.

Police investigators checked places frequented by Kraszewski, Murgo said, and ultimately caught up with Kraszewski inside the Birches Condo Complex. He was taken into custody without incident. He was driving the stolen BMW with various stolen items within, including the items stolen from the Bradley Street commercial building, Murgo said. Police said the stolen goods were valued at around $20,000.

While police were booking Kraszewski they found he had several outstanding arrest warrants which were also served on him, Murgo said.

Kraszewski was charged with Criminal Trespass in the First Degree, Larceny in the First Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance,and Burglary in the Second Degree. police said.

An arrest warrant for being in possession of the stolen BMW will be forthcoming, Murgo said.

Kraszewski was held on $141,000 bail, Murgo said, and is due in court Sept. 25.