Windsor Locks Burglary Leads To 2 Arrests: Police

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Two men were arrested and a third suspect is being sought after a vacant home burglary early Saturday morning caused extensive damage, according to Windsor Locks police.

Officers responded to a vacant residence on South Center Street at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday, June 6, after a neighbor reported suspicious activity involving a dark sedan and two men walking around the property, police said.

When officers arrived, they blocked the vehicle in the driveway and identified the driver as Kristen Shortman, 46, of Windsor Locks, according to police.

As an officer approached the house, police said a loud crash was heard inside and a man later identified as Mathew Jones, 46, of Waterbury, burst through a window and ran away.

Jones was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit through neighboring yards, police said.

Police said a second officer moved away from the suspect vehicle to help with Jones’ arrest due to staffing and officer safety concerns. Shortman then fled the scene in the sedan, driving north on South Center Street, according to police.

Police said an arrest warrant is being processed for Shortman.

A later search of the home by officers and a supervisor found a third suspect, Reginald Leach, 45, of Hartford, hiding behind a shower curtain in a downstairs bathtub, according to police.

Leach was arrested without further incident, police said.

Inside the home, officers found extensive damage from the break-in, according to police.

Police said sections of copper piping had been cut out of the home, causing severe flooding in the basement and destroying the furnace.

The Windsor Locks Fire Department responded to shut off the water and help prevent further damage, police said.

Officers also recovered burglar tools, a backpack and drug paraphernalia from both arrested suspects, according to police. The paraphernalia later tested positive for cocaine, police said.

Jones and Leach were taken to police headquarters and processed on multiple felony charges, including first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Both men were being held on $150,000 cash/surety bonds, according to police.

Police thanked the neighbor who reported the suspicious activity and said the investigation remains active.