1 Of 3 Burglary Suspects Caught, Found Hiding In Recycle Bin: Police

WESTVILLE, CT — Tuesday, a Genesee Street resident told cops he was pretty sure "someone was staying in the loft of his garage, since the latch on the door was unlocked."

It was around 4:45 p.m. when police went to "investigate a burglary in progress," New Haven police spokesperson Capt. Rose Dell said. Officers checked the door and saw that it was unlocked, she said. Officer David Simpson tried to open the door, but an item was pushed up against it. Then, Officer Joseph Perrotti saw a "white or Hispanic male jump out a window and then over a fence into the neighbor’s yard." Cops gave chase with K9 Sandler, but couldn't catch the man, Dell said.

Returning to the house, cops asked the homeowner for permission to force entry into the garage and he agreed. As they foreced their way in, and man and a woman, jumped out the window, Dell said. The man "made a quick getaway by scaling a fence and leaping onto the roof of The Best Way Inn," Dell said.

But the woman, identified as Robetsy Quinones, 25, of New Haven, was found hiding in a large blue recycling bin next to another Genesee Street house, police said.

Dell said cops found cocaine and drug paraphernalia after a search of Quinones.

Quinones was charged with first-degree trespassing, third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, interfering with a police investigation, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dell said detectives are investigating whether Quinones committed numerous other burglaries in the Westville area starting Jan. 24.

Last week, police said they suspected a male and female duo were behind those burglaries, which include:

• Jan. 24: A male walked into Clemente’s Pizza and stole the cash register off the counter. The register contained around $400.
• Jan. 25: The manager of Walgreens reported that a male and female came into the store and stole the cash box from behind the register. The cash box was worth around $600 but there was no cash inside.
• Jan. 26 at 6:40 p.m.: A male walked into Amity Beauty and stole the cash register. He ran outside, fell, and dropped the register. The shop owner recovered the register and attempted to stop the thief. A tug-of-war of the cash register ensued. The shop owner prevailed, but the thief got away.
• Jan. 26, 9:35 p.m.: The thieves struck again at the Racquet Koop and The Westville General Store. A large rock was thrown into the rear side window of the Racquet Koop. Nothing was stolen because all cash and the register are locked up when the store closes for the evening. The Westville General Store did not fare as well. The front door was broken, and five carry bags were stolen, each worth around a $100.

Westville General shared surveillance video of the burglary.