SPD: Burglary Suspect's Getaway Vehicle Fails Him While Fleeing

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Waterbury man has been charged in Southington after police there said he smashed his way into a local gas station and made off with cash and scratch-off tickets.

But, according to police, he didn't get too far as his Cadillac getaway vehicle failed him, breaking down in Bristol and the suspect is now in custody.

According to the Southington Police Department Wednesday morning, Michael Menta, 50, of 421 E. Main St., Waterbury, was arrested and charged Tuesday with: third-degree burglary; third-degree larceny; second-degree criminal mischief; and third-degree criminal mischief.

Menta was held on a $100,000 bond Tuesday and arraigned in the New Britain Superior Court.

Police said that at approximately 4:11 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a Sunoco station at 957 West St., Southington, for a reported alarm activation.

Arriving officers found the glass front door smashed and suspected the burglar stole several scratch off lottery tickets along with two cash drawers, police said.

Surveillance video from the store identified the suspect as a white male in his mid-40s to 50s and showed him removing a large rock from his white Cadillac SUV to smash out the front door, according to police.

The SPD said he then entered the store and is seen leaving the store carrying the rack containing the scratch tickets.

Shortly after the burglary, Southington learned that Bristol police reported the same suspect had attempted another burglary of a convenience store in that town, Southington police said.

Southington police said Bristol Police had located a suspect after his vehicle had broken down.

Police quickly confirmed the identity of the suspect, his vehicle and located several books of lottery tickets, which the suspect admitted he had stolen from a gas station in Southington, police said.

In addition to Southington and Bristol, the suspect was believed to have also attempted a burglary in Cheshire, police said.

For the Southington Police Department's Facebook page, click on this link.