PD: Middletown Man Arrested After Alleged Car Break-in Spree in Meriden

A 19-year-old Middletown man was arrested Tuesday and charged with committing a rash of car break-ins in Meriden along with a Meriden resident in February.

Meriden Police say Justin Quatrezc Butler, of 48 Grand St., Apt 1 in Middletown and Edward Goralnik of Broad St. in Meriden are believed to be responsible for 30 to 50 car break-ins in Meriden in early February – as well as others in Southington. The two are accused of taking a range of items from unlocked cars in the city, including laptops, GPS units, and wallets, police spokesman Det. Lt. Mark Walerysiak said Wednesday.

Southington Police allegedly caught the pair breaking into cars in that town in February. While talking with police, the two reportedly admitted to breaking into cars in Meriden as well.

Southington Police contacted detectives in Meriden, according to Walerysiak, and officers executed a search warrant of Goralnik's home, and found about 20 items that were allegedly stolen in Meriden. 

"Much of it was returned once the detectives were able to track down who they belonged to," Walerysiak said.

The two allegedly broke into cars throughout the city, Walerysiak said, from Cheshire Road, Race Brook Drive and Dana Lane in South Meriden to Essex Court and Greenbriar Road on the east side.

Goralnik is in Southington Police Custody for break-ins in that town, and will be served with warrants for the Meriden crimes in the coming days, Walerysiak said.

Meriden Police arrested Butler Tuesday on seven separate warrants.

Butler was charged with credit card theft, seven counts of 3rd degree burglary, six counts of conspiracy to commit third degree burglary, six counts of sixth degree larceny, six counts of conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny, third degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third degree robbery, conspiracy to commit third degree larceny, conspiracy to commit credit card theft.

He was held on $65,000 bond overall, $5,000 for each warrant, and has an April 10 court date.