Wanted Man Breaks Into Several Unlocked Cars: East Haven Police

EAST HAVEN, CT - A man admitted to police he was in East Haven looking to burglarize cars, police said Saturday. A witness saw the accused break into a vehicle and called police, which led to his arrest and the discovery that he had six other arrest warrants pending, police said.

The accused is being held on a $225,000 bond. At 2:10 a.m. Saturday officers responded to Stoddard Road for a report of a male burglarizing vehicles, police said. Prior to officer’s arrival, a witness advised dispatch that she observed a male, later identified as Jacob Longyear, 26, walking down Stoddard Road, police said.

She stated that as she was watching him, she observed him enter an unlocked vehicle near the intersection of Stoddard Road and South End Road, police said. Upon officers arrival, they observed Longyear in the passenger seat of a black van. Longyear was ordered out of the vehicle and was detained without incident, police said.

Longyear admitted to officers that he was in the area to burglarize cars, police said in a news release. Officers located a canvas bag next to Longyear that contained various stolen items from other vehicles in the neighborhood, police said. While officers were speaking with Longyear, several residents came out to find their cars had been burglarized, police said. Longyear was found to be in possession of their stolen items.

Longyear was placed under arrest and transported to the East Haven Police Department where he was processed. Jacob Longyear, 26, of Ocean View Street, New Haven was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, third-degree criminal trespass, and sixth-degree larceny.

Longyear was given a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

While being processed, it was discovered that Longyear had six active arrest warrants from different agencies throughout the state with court set bonds totaling $215,000., police said. The six outstanding warrants were served on him as well. Longyear is currently being held on a total of $225,000 in bonds.

"This is yet another case of criminals targeting UNLOCKED cars. Please be sure to lock up at night, as we are seeing time and time again criminals bypassing locked cars in search of vehicles left unlocked. If it helps, set a reminder every night to remind yourself to take valuable belongings inside and to lock everything up," said Police Lt. Joseph M. Murgo. "Furthermore, we cannot stress enough that if you are a gun owner, be sure not to leave your weapon(s) in your vehicle overnight. We have taken several stolen firearm / ammunition complaints in the last couple months from residents who left their weapons in their unlocked cars. Please help us help you."

Photo via East Haven Police