Charges Filed In $15,000 Southington Excavator Rental Dispute

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A $15,000 rental dispute has led to charges against a Southington man, police said.

On Feb. 25, Jeffrey Barton, 35 of Southington, was arrested on an active warrant. Barton was charged with second-degree larceny, police said.

Barton appeared in court once and is due back before a judge on April 15, records show.

The warrant alleges that, on June 16, Barton rented an excavator from Superior Rentals at 1403 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Payment was arranged through a weekly rental agreement with a credit card payment plan, according to a warrant.

In August, the credit card was declined and Barton made several cash payments until October, according to a warrant. Superior Rentals then reported not receiving any payments and claimes Barton has not returned the excavator after several requests.

The Excavator is described as a 1.5-ton Bobcat 324.

Superior Rental is reporting it is owed $15,695.59 (including tax) for rental fees and the cost of the excavator, according to a warrant.

Barton claims he is involved in a "civil agreement" with Superior Rental management and the situation has been resolved, a contention Superior Rental denies, according to a warrant.

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