Man Charged In Burglary After Cellphone Left At Scene: North Branford Police

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in North Branford last November, according to police.

Police responded to a Northford home on Nov. 25 on the report of a suspicious vehicle.

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The complainant reported hearing his garage door open and seeing a silver four-door sedan in his driveway, with several people walking around the property, according to police.

"Responding officers located a silver Mazda parked on the street near the residence," police wrote in a news release. "As officers arrived, several individuals were observed running toward the Mazda before fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful."

Police said the investigation determined that at least one suspect had entered the residence's attached two-car garage and tried to steal the complainant's dirt bike.

Investigators also determined that the suspects tried to steal a pickup truck parked in the driveway, according to police.

Officers recovered a cellphone near the location where the Mazda had been parked, police said.

"Detective Massimo Piroli assumed the investigation with the assistance of Detective Craig Miller," police wrote. "Through the use of investigative technology as well as several search warrants, Detective Piroli identified the owner of the recovered cell phone."

An arrest warrant was obtained for 32-year-old Jose Lapuerta-Hernandez of Hartford.

Lapuerta-Hernandez was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 24.

"The North Branford Police Department reminds residents to use caution when advertising items for sale through Facebook Marketplace and similar online platforms," police wrote. "Individuals selling dirt bikes, recreational vehicles, or other high-value items should avoid providing strangers with their home address whenever possible.

"The North Branford Police Department provides a safe location where members of the public may meet to conduct online sales and exchanges."