Arrest made in December Ellington ATM Caper

ELLINGTON, CT — State police have arrested a Bristol man in connection with burglaries at two Crystal Lake Road establishments last December.

Alberto Amezquita, 34, of Bristol, was charged with third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny, and a pair of felony conspiracies, according to a warrant. He is currently in custody on unrelated charges was served a warrant for the Ellington Incident on Thursday.

He was initially held on a $50,000 bond and that was reduced to $20,000 at a court appearance later in the day, a clerk at Rockville Superior Court said. His case was continued until Nov. 28, according to the clerk's office.

The burglary took place at 5:29 a.m. on Dec. 8, according to state police records.

The owner of the Ellington Depot General Store, located at 1 Crystal Lake Road in Ellington, notified troopers that the front door and side window to the business had been smashed, with entry gained. A check of the business documented the thieves attempted to gain entry into the ATM, police said.

At the same time, troopers documented a similar incident about one-tenth of a mile north on Route 30 at the Lakeside Deli & Market. At that location, the thieves gained entry into the building and forced their way into an ATM, from which an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen, police said.

The investigation revealed that communication wires leading from utility poles to each of the respective businesses had been cut, police said.

Surveillance footage from the affected businesses was reviewed, suggesting three males were responsible for the related burglaries, according to police.

A two-tone blue GMC pickup truck was seen in the area around the same time as the incidents. There were numerous vehicles seen on the surveillance footage passing this area while the incidents were occurring, police said.

Photo Credit: State police, Tim Jensen