Fishy Story: New Haven Cops Track Down Alleged Fish Thief

The following is from New Haven Police Officer David Hartman, police spokesman:

Officers John Lalli and Dwight Calderon knew something was fishy when
they arrived to investigate a theft complaint at Westville Seafood, 1514
Whaley Avenue.

Just past 8:00 AM, the Officers met with the business’ owner, 44 year
old Dave Austin. Together, the three reviewed the surveillance footage
captured by the shop’s new security cameras. The footage revealed
someone had in fact broken in through a shattered window and made off
with some fish. This was the second time a thief had burglarized the
shop. A similar theft occurred on December 18, 2014 – less than a
month ago, prompting Austin to install cameras.

The surveillance showed a bearded light complexioned black man with a
back-pack approach the store from the street. They saw the thief pick up
a rock and toss it through a window. He then entered, took fish and
alcohol and went outside to a waiting red shopping carriage.
Surveillance footage from the Goodwill store next door picked up the
poacher as he pushed the cart toward the Three Judges Motel.

The Officers cast their net over the several of the upper Whalley
Avenue motels. They had a hunch their thief was staying at one of them.
When the Officers asked around, they learned the perpetrator was likely
staying at the nearby Best Way Inn at 45 Pond Lilly Avenue.

Someone helped the Officers narrow their search to Room 133. When the
Officers knocked, the door was answered by a woman. She invited the
Officers inside. There, they found their suspect, Gary Lee Rogers
(1-5-1968), who uses the motel as his address. He was wearing the jacket
seen on the surveillance. The back-pack lay nearby and the red carriage
was also in the room.
Mr. Rogers wasn’t wearing any pants so the Officers asked his
companion to retrieve a pair. When she did, a frozen fish dropped to the
floor. Further searching turned up another frozen fish and two cases of
Calamari.

The value of the stolen seafood was estimated at about $1,400.00.

Mr. Rogers was caught – hook, line and sinker. He was charged with
second degree burglary, fourth degree larceny and criminal mischief in
the second degree.

The Officer’s supervisor noted they were reel experts and can tackle
anything. As for the suspect, the evidence sealed his fate. It’s
unlikely he’ll get off the hook.