Community Corner

Police Nab Alleged Tom's Place Burglars

Two teens reportedly broke in and stole about $50 to $60 from the restaurant's cash register.

 

Police have arrested two teens who allegedly broke into a popular South Meriden restaurant Thursday night and made off with a small sum of cash.

At about 8 p.m. Thursday, police received a call from someone who reported seeing two men dressed in black with ski masks on near , on 55 Main St., according to Meriden Police Spokesman Sgt. Darrin McKay.

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When officers arrived, no one was inside the restaurant, but they did discover signs of burglary. The door frame had been broken and the door forced in, and the restaurant's cash register had been cleared out, McKay said.

"There was probably $50 to $60 worth of cash taken," McKay said.

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An officer canvassed the area as part of the investigation and saw two men walking on Oregon Road wearing clothing resembling the caller's description.

Police brought in the caller, whose name has not been released, to see the suspects. He positively identified the men, McKay said, adding that one of the men was wearing a very distinct jacket.

Police also recovered the cash and one of the ski masks on the men.

The two men arrested are 19-year-old Richard Medina, of 88 North Third Street, and Tyler Aaron Willey, 18, of 32 Carl Street.

Both are charged with first degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first degree burglary, third degree criminal mischief, third degree conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, second degree criminal trespass, conspiracy to commit second degree criminal trespass, sixth degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth degree larceny.

Willey is also charged interfering with an officer for initially giving police a false name due to prior arrests.

Both have a Feb. 9th court date, Medina is being held on $25,000 bond, and Willey on $35,000 bond.


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