Cop Lawsuit Settlement Winner Charged In Enfield Burglaries

ENFIELD, CT — A local man who won a $25,000 settlement from the town of Enfield in connection with an allegation of police brutality nearly five years ago was arrested again Friday night, along with a female companion, in connection with a pair of burglary attempts at convenience stores.

Christopher McDaniel, 43, and Britney Flagg, 33, both of 17 Cottage Green, were charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of fifth-degree larceny, tampering with physical evidence and risk of injury to a child. McDaniel was additionally charged with second-degree criminal mischief.

Police Chief Alaric Fox did not have bond information available for either McDaniel or Flagg.

Police were dispatched to Stevie's Little Store, formerly Tony's Little Store, at 1436 Enfield Street at 9:12 p.m. Friday with a reported burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers noticed the front door had been scarred by a brick, but nothing had been taken, Fox said.

Minutes later, at 9:17, a burglary call came from the Enfield Market at 138 Weymouth Road. The caller said they heard glass break, and discovered the cash register was missing, Fox said.

Investigators realized the method of operation was similar to recent burglaries in Suffield, East Windsor and Longmeadow, Mass., as well as at Adam's Market in Enfield, Fox said.

Information was developed leading to McDaniel and Flagg as suspects, including a gray Hyundai Elantra belonging to Flagg. A check of surveillance video from Stevie's showed the Elentra parked on Meadowlark Road, containing a female driver and a child in the back seat, as well as a male throwing a brick, Fox said.

A similar vehicle was seen on surveillance video from the Enfield Market burglary attempt.

"It appears the vehicle, based on the timing, failed at Stevie's so then went to the Enfield Market," Fox said.

An officer saw the vehicle driving west away from the Enfield Market, but could not locate it. Officers went to the duo's home on Cottage Green, where no vehicle was parked, but the Elantra showed up soon afterward, Fox said.

During questioning, Flagg eventually confessed to the burglaries at Adam's Market and two others nearby. A search of the premises yielded narcotics and two damaged cash registers - one from the Thompsonville Market, and one from Bronze Effects in East Windsor, the chief said.

Police also found footwear with a pattern that matched impressions left during the Adam's Market burglary, Fox added.

According to court records, McDaniel was arrested on a violation of probation charge on Dec. 1, 2013 in the parking lot of Silvia's Restaurant. He claimed police used excessive force, resulting in multiple injuries to his left leg, thigh, ankle, face, back and neck. He filed suit against the town of Enfield, claiming he suffers from emotional distress, psychological pain and suffering and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Information released in late 2017 by then-Town Attorney Christopher Bromson indicates McDaniel was paid $25,000 to settle his lawsuit, one of 10 settlements reached by the town in a two-year span.

Photos courtesy of Enfield Police Department

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