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A Milford police officer on patrol at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5 discovered that the front door of Wheel’s gas station on Naugatuck Avenue has been smashed out and the building was apparently entered.
Investigators reviewed video surveillance from the gas station and saw a man break the glass door, causing approximately $1,000 worth of damage. He then entered the building, took a trash bag and filled it with an estimated $1,000 worth of cigarettes.
Officers announced a description of the suspect and later spotted a suspicious vehicle driving on Naugatuck Avenue, down side roads and then back onto the main roadway. A stop was made of the vehicle on Bridgeport Avenue, and Middletown resident James Graziani, 39, and Bridgeport resident George Hutchings, 53, were found to be in possession of the bag of cigarettes.
Both men were arrested and charged with burglary, larceny, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit larceny and conspiracy to commit possession of burglary tools. Hutchings was additionally charged with criminal mischief for damaging the door at the gas station. Both Graziani and Hutchings are being held on a $50,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in Milford Court this week.
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