Man Charged With Stealing Batteries from DOT Message Board in Windsor

WINDSOR, CT — An East Windsor man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after being caught stealing batteries from a Department of Transportation message board on Interstate 91.

State police troopers were dispatched to the area of Exit 35 A/B around 4:30 p.m., with a report of an individual tampering with a DOT message board and loading batteries into a blue Toyota on the southbound side of the highway. Upon arrival, troopers discovered and stopped the suspect vehicle, and determined the operator was in possession of stolen commercial batteries, state police said.

A set of bolt cutters, a hacksaw and various wires were also found inside the suspect's vehicle, police said.

Michael Richardson, 39, of 9 Grove St., East Windsor, was charged with third-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief and possession of burglar tools. Bond was set at $10,000, and he was transported to Hartford Correctional Center after failing to post bond, police said.

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Photo courtesy of Connecticut State Police