Man Used Sledgehammer To Burglarize Several Businesses, East Lyme Police Say

EAST LYME, CT — A man is accused of using a sledgehammer to burglarize several local businesses, according to East Lyme police.

Police said the same suspect is responsible for similar burglaries in Guilford, Milford, Madison, Vernon, and Manchester.

Officers responded to The Shack, a restaurant at 324 Flanders Road, on a report of a burglary June 11.

Investigators found a man had forced his way into the building and used a sledgehammer to break through walls while inside to access several businesses, police said.

Following an investigation, Robert Bowers, 65, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was arrested. He was charged with three counts of burglary and three counts of criminal mischief.

He was held on $100,000 bond.

"East Lyme Police Officers remain committed to being proactive in addressing and preventing all crimes throughout our community," police wrote. "Quick response times continue to play a key role in holding offenders accountable and keeping our neighborhoods safe. Our investigators will do everything we can to locate, and arrest those committing crimes in East Lyme."

Last month, Bowers was charged with two commercial burglaries that occurred in Madison.

Read more: Massachusetts Man Accused Of 2 Commercial Burglaries In Madison: Police