Building Damaged In Vandalism Incident, 3 Charged: Southington Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Police said they arrested two teens on Monday in connection with a May vandalism incident in which bathrooms were flooded at a Southington retail/commercial hub.

In a news release issued Tuesday morning by the Southington Police Department, the duo was arrested in connection with an incident at Factory Square, 168 Center St., Southington, on May 16.

Police said they have arrested:

• Michael Lanzo, 19, of Lisa Court, Waterbury.

• Haylie Hackett, 18, of Wildwood Road, New Britain.

• John Jenkins, 20, of Darling Street, Southington.

The trio, police said, was charged with second-degree criminal trespassing; conspiracy to commit second-degree trespassing; third-degree criminal mischief; and conspiracy to commit third-degree criminal mischief.

According to police, Hackett was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and Lanzo was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond. Jenkins was to be released on $10,000 bond, police said.

Police said all three are scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Aug. 8.

In announcing the arrests Tuesday, Southington police released the following details about what they say happened:

• On the afternoon of May 18, officers were dispatched to Factory Square, 168 Center St., Southington, for a reported vandalism.

• According to property management, during the evening of May 16, three unknown individuals stayed on the premises past the normal closing of the location, police said.

• Police said it was reported these individuals flooded a bathroom, with water spreading out into the lobby, causing damage.

• According to police, surveillance footage on the premises captured these individuals entering the property, as well as repeatedly entering and exiting the bathrooms during the flooding incident.

• Police said the three individuals were identified as Lanzo, Hackett and Jenkins.

• According to the SPD, Lanzo could be seen in the videos riding a scooter in the lobby, the bathroom hallway and on a display in the front entrance of the business, contributing to an estimated $1,150 in property damage.

•Police said, according to Hackett, he arrived at Factory Square around 7 p.m., while Jenkins and Lanzo arrived later, at 1 a.m.

• According to police, Hackett told officers he Jenkins he had permission to be on the property and he had no part in the flooding of the bathrooms, stating Lanzo did most of the damage to the bathrooms.

• Police said Hackett stated the group left together at approximately 4 to 5 a.m.

• The SPD said, during an interview with Jenkins, Jenkins confirmed the timeline and said he was looking for somewhere to "relax" with Hackett, who needed to charge his phone and remained inside the business because of rain outside.

• Jenkins implicated Lanzo as the person responsible for flooding the toilets, riding his scooter inside the building, as well as breaking a light, police said.

• According to police, video surveillance showed Hackett and Jenkins going into and leaving several of the bathrooms, then what appeared to be water was observed flooding from one of the bathrooms into the hallway.

• The investigation concluded Hackett, Lanzo and Jenkins were the individuals depicted in the surveillance video trespassing on business property.

For the Southington Police Department Facebook Page, click on this link.