Alert Police Officer Thwarts Possible Burglary In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A possible burglary was thwarted and three men were arrested thanks to the quick thinking and alertness of a police officer working the midnight shift.

Officer John Begin was patrolling the area of 635 New Park Ave. when he noticed two men on foot attempt to evade him behind a building. After making contact with the men, officers determined they were tied to a third person sitting in a rented U-Haul truck parked in the adjacent lot of 1078 New Britain Ave. The third person was found to have an outstanding warrant, police said.

The truck was found to contain numerous burglar tools, as well as a snow blower which is believed to have been stolen. Police determined at least two of the individuals were about to commit a commercial burglary and/or larceny, likely at the adjacent Butler Power Equipment, police said.

The three men arrested and their charges were:

• Anthony Thompson, 46, interfering with an officer, possession of burglary tools and criminal impersonation.
• Akinjagunla “Shameek” Ojediran-Afrika, 47, interfering with an officer and possession of burglary tools.
• John Moore, 57, failure to respond to an infraction and possession of burglary tools.