Landlord's Complaint Leads to Arrests in ATM Theft

Two Naugatuck men accused in the theft of an ATM from Cindy’s Grocery might have gotten away with the crime — if their landlord hadn’t heard them bringing the stolen machine into their apartment after 2 a.m.

Naugatuck police arrested David Michel, 39, and Thomas Michel, 44, both of 58 High St., second floor, on multiple burglary and larceny charges in connection with the break-in and theft of the machine from the 18 May St. grocery store overnight. A third suspect, Kimberly Merced of 17 Bingham St., was also taken into custody on similar charges.

The ATM was recovered and cash was taken, although police are not releasing the amount at this time, said Lt. Robert Harrison, Naugatuck police public information officer.

The investigation began with a suspicious person complaint at the Michels’ apartment at 58 High St. The landlord, who lives downstairs, reported to police at 2:23 a.m. that she heard noises outside of her apartment as if someone was moving something heavy, Harrison said.

When she went outside, the landlord saw the two Michels carting the ATM using a hand truck in the driveway towards the stairs that leads to their apartment, police said. When the landlord questioned the two on what they were doing, the Michels were startled and said they were moving an air conditioner that they were going to scrap, Harrison said.

The woman, however, noting the “ATM” lettering on the machine, told the pair she was going to call the police. The Michels then fled the scene and police arrived shortly thereafter.

While officers interviewed the landlord about her complaint, Naugatuck police received a call from the owner of Cindy’s Grocery reporting their ATM stolen, Harrison said. Police investigators then went to the grocery store to respond to that complaint, while one officer stayed behind to take a statement from the landlord, he said. During this time the Michels returned to the apartment and the remaining officer heard them entering the second floor, Harrison said.

The Michels were interviewed and later taken into custody, on charges of first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, second-degree criminal trover, conspiracy to commit second-degree trover and interfering with an officer.

Merced was also hit with the same charges. Harrison said police believe she was involved in the actual theft, although he declined to comment further on the case. Further arrests are pending, he said.

All three suspects are being held on $100,000 bonds pending arraignments in Waterbury Superior Court.