Jaws Of Theft: Southington Now On List Of Extrication Tool Capers

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington charges have been added in the case of a Shelton man already in custody for a series of automated teller machine thefts through the use of an extrication tool similar to those used by firefighters, police said.

On July 5, the Southington Police Department's Special Investigations Unit charged Joshua Moore in the case of a 2016 commercial burglary at the Dunkin Donuts at 1096 West St. in Southington, according to a report.

The investigation showed that the ATM machine located inside the business was the primary target of the burglary, according to a report. The thief used a battery powered hydraulic spreader similar to what is used by firefighters during vehicle extrications to cut open the ATM and remove money, according to a report.

The tool is commonly known as the Jaws of Life, police said.

The Southington caper was not an isolated incident, police said. Moore is accused of several other similar crimes, police said.

According to a warrant secured by Greenwich police for a January arrest, Moore purchased a Holmatro BCT 4120 Self Contained Rescue Tool from eBay prior to the commercial ATM burglaries.

It was estimated in warrants that Moore stole between $200,000 and $300,000 in cash during the ATM burglaries in several locations.

In addition to Greenwich, several other agencies have served arrest warrants on Moore, police said. His collective bonds total $550,500, according to a report.

On July 5, Moore was charged by Southington police for:

• Third-degree burglary
• Third-degree larceny
• First-degree criminal mischief

The bond for the Southington charges was set at $25,000, police said.