Arrest Expected in Rash of Vandalism Incidents in Guilford: Police

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford police officials say the department expects to make an arrest soon in connection with several cases of vandalism in town over the past few weeks.

Tires on several vehicles were slashed during the period, and several mailboxes were smashed. A suspect has been interviewed, and police said he confessed to seven of eight reported incidents, and the department is obtaining a warrant for his arrest. The suspect's identity was not disclosed, nor were the addresses where the vandalism occurred.

"Guilford Police Officer Daniel Morrell tracked these crimes and formulated a plan to attempt to identify and catch the suspect," police wrote in a statement. "On the evening of 2/4/2017, Off. Morrell analyzed the information and patterns from the prior incidents and determined an area in which the suspect was likely to target. Off. Morrell took up a position of surveillance in a wooded area for several hours on a single-digit temperature night and ultimately located a suspicious person walking in the area around 0300 hours [3 a.m.]. Off. Morrell along with marked Police units attempted to make contact with the suspicious person, who fled on foot into a wooded area. This person was later located hiding behind a residence."

Morrell interviewed the suspect over several days and eventually was able to acquire a full confession from him about the criminal mischief. The investigation is continuing.

"If any residents of Guilford were victims of any similar damage that was previously unreported, please contact the Guilford Police Department's routine number (203) 453-8061."

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