Second Suspect in Golf Club Thefts Is Busted by Glastonbury Police

A second suspect in in custody following his arrest in connection with several burglaries of Glastonbury residences and garages and the theft of high-end golf clubs and bags that were later sold by the suspects.

Glastonbury Police arrested Derek Benson, 29, of Glastonbury, when he surrendered Friday to police who had obtained seven arrest warrants charging him larceny and burglary, according to WTNH. Benson was held on $350,000 bond, according to WTNH.

There were at least seven thefts reported in June, September and October. Police say many of the golf clubs were sold at a Hartford-area golf outlet store. Police were helped in their investigation by one victim’s home security surveillance video that captured images of the car used by the suspects. The suspects were described as being dressed for the golf club with a polo shirt, khakis, a windbreaker and dress shoes.

On Dec. 3, police arrested Justin Scalise, 22, of West Hartford, in connection with the same burglaries and thefts. Scalise faces seven counts each of third-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary; three counts each of third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny, two counts each of fourth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny, and one count each of fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website.

Scalise is free after posting $175,000 bond and is scheduled to return to state Superior Court in Manchester Dec. 23, according to the Judicial Branch.

Photo: Derek Benson. Credit: Glastonbury Police via WTNH.