Tip Leads To Arrest Of Burglar in Berlin

On Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2:19 p.m., the Berlin Police Department received a report of an individual wearing dark clothing peering into parked cars in the Glenbrook Drive area.

This person was seen to leave the area in a dark colored minivan. One of the officers responding to this report saw a vehicle matching the description leaving the area on High Road. When the Officer attempted to stop the minivan, the operator accelerated in an attempt to elude the officer. After a brief pursuit the suspect stopped and was apprehended by Berlin officers. 

After further investigation Officers discovered several items of stolen property, including one stolen from the vehicle of the initial complainant, a loaded handgun and several other weapons in the vehicle. Some of the items recovered are from thefts that occurred in Southington and Berlin earlier in the year.

The Operator Miguel David Sanchez, 23, of 40 Shultz Road, New Britain was subsequently arrested and charged with the following offenses.

• Carrying a Pistol without a Permit
• Weapons in a Motor Vehicle
• Operating under the Influence
• Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence
• Burglary 3rd Degree
• Larceny 4rd Degree
• Illegal Possession of less than ½ ounce of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Disobeying the Signal of an Officer
• Engaging in Pursuit
• Failure to Drive in the Proper Lane, Multi-Lane highway
• Travelling Unreasonably Fast
• Failure to have Headlamps
• Failure to Obey Stop Sign (3 counts)

Sanchez was held on a $75,000 PD set bond and arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Monday, Jan. 28.

"This is an excellent example of what can be achieved through the actions of a vigilant citizen and prompt police action," said Berlin Deputy Chief John Klett.