Old Lyme Resident State Trooper Recognized For Role In Solving Serial Burglaries

Twice a year, the Connecticut State Police honors Troopers who demonstrate exceptional service in the line of duty. Last month, Old Lyme Resident State Trooper First Class Gary Inglis was awarded the Medal for Outsanding Service for his role in investigating a string of burglaries that plagued Lyme and surrounding towns last summer. 

From November 2011 through July 2012, Troop F and Troop K experienced a surge of residential burglaries involving the theft of safes, jewelry, precious metals and antiques. 

Old Lyme Resident Trooper Inglis took the lead in investigating these crimes in Old Lyme. Gathering information from Troopers and other law enforcement officers, Trooper Inglis tracked down a suspect while the suspect was in the act of selling stolen jewelry. 

Salem Resident Troopers gathered information from out of state victims, which contributed to the issuance of a search and seizure warrant. While serving the warrant, Troopers discovered several stolen firearms from a burglary. 

On July 10, 2012, Montville Officer First Class Gregg Jacobson, Troop K, Colchester was conducting speed enforcement in Montville when he clocked a vehicle speeding. He attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued, leading to a street where the vehicle was found partially hidden behind trees. A witness said a man ran from the vehicle into the wood line. A man located in the brush was positively identified by the witness as the one fleeing from the vehicle.

A .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol was located a short distance from the man. The firearm was determined to have been stolen during a burglary in Salem. 

This police work ultimately lead to the recovery of more than $200,000 worth of stolen property, two search warrants and three court orders, and the issuance of 20 arrest warrants for three perpetrators. The diligence and perseverance demonstrated by the Troopers helped solve 13 burglaries and three larcenies. These cases spanned six towns, four jurisdictions, and three states.

Trooper Inglis and Officer Jacobson each earned a Medal for Outsanding Service; Troop K Troopers earned a Unit Citation Award. The Outstanding Service Award is given to those who successfully perform an extreme, complex or difficult investigation. 

The Trooper may demonstrate exceptional skill or ingenuity in the apprehension of a wanted person, provide outstanding service to the public and/or continuously achieve excellence in performance over an extended period of time.

The ceremony also honors men and women serving in local and federal law enforcement agencies, those serving as first responders, and civilians. Award winners received medals and certificates from Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford and State Police Colonel Danny R. Stebbins.