2 Caught Burglarizing Vehicles Overnight: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — Two men were arrested after police investigated a report of a suspicious person looking into vehicles during the overnight hours at a car dealership. One of the suspects is a convicted felon who was found to be in the possession of a 20-round rifle magazine, according to Lt. Cheryl Bradley.

At about 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, police responded to the Wallingford Auto Center, located at 283 South Colony Road, on the report of a man looking into vehicles with a headlamp. Responding officers located a black Ford Explorer with its engine running and its license plate covered with a plastic bag, according to Bradley.

Police then found Marc Battis passed out in the front passenger seat. Battis told police that his friend was looking at vehicles in the lot, according to Bradley.

The Ford Explorer was parked next to a Subaru that had its windows lowered approximately one inch. Bradley said there were smudge marks around the frame of the window as if someone had been tampering with the vehicle.

A short time later, officers found Donald Dyer walking northbound on South Colony Road. Dyer admitted to being the operator of the Ford Explorer and claimed that he was walking to a convenience store for a coffee, according to Bradley.

Bradley said officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a stolen license plate and a 20-round rifle magazine. Police later determined that Dyer is a Dangerous Weapon Offender with the State of Connecticut, according to Bradley.

Battis, 28, of no known address, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary. He was held on a $2,500 bond and transported to court on Friday.

Dyer, 35, of Woodhaven Street in Waterbury, was arrested and charged with having an obstructed registration plate, possession of a stolen registration plate, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, criminal trespass and possession of a large capacity magazine by a felon. He was held on a $7,500 bond and transported to court on Friday.