North Haven Police Charge Man with Stealing Excavator

North Haven police have arrested the suspect accused of stealing an excavator from a Washington Avenue construction site in January.

Frank Westervelt, 45, of, Willimantic, was arrested on a warrant Tuesday morning.

Police said that after the excavator was stolen in January, investigators processed the crime scene and collected DNA from an item that was left behind by the suspect.

With the assistance of the State of Connecticut Forensic Laboratory, North Haven Detectives identified Westervelt as the suspect. Further investigation revealed Westervelt conspired with a second male to take the excavator and tow it to New York where it was sold.

In April 2015, detectives traveled to New York to seize the stolen excavator and return it to its owner.

Westervelt was charged with second-degree larceny, criminal trover, criminal mischief and conspiracy.

Westervelt was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Meriden Superior Court. Police also said Westervelt’s co-conspirator will be arrested by warrant.