Alert Citizen Leads to Capture of Home Burglar

At 10 a.m., arrived to the scene of an active burglary on Pleasant Point Road. 

Branford Police Officer Michael Amarante noticed the rear door of a single-family residence had been forced open. Officer Michael Bonfiglio, who was covering the front of the home, spotted the suspect, Christopher Teneyck, 40, of Monticello Dr., emerging from the front door wearing all black, including gloves. Teneyck was taken into custody by both officers.

Police credit a nearby neighbor who called to report the suspect acting suspiciously around the home on Pleasant Point Road.

This arrest comes as a victory for the Branford Police Department who have been aggressively seeking community input to catch burglars.

Since October, 2010, Branford Police, in conjunction with Guilford Police, have been working to solve a large number of home burglaries and prevent more from happening. Today's burglary was in the area Branford Police have seen a rise in home theft and Captain Geoffrey Morgan believes this arrest is most likely linked to other burglaries. "The motive," said Morgan, "fits past motives." Morgan is hoping to solve other cases based on today's arrest.

Branford Police report, "A significant prevention method has been the constant flow of burglary information to the affected neighborhoods by both phone calls to homes using Branford’s B-Informed alert notification system and the leafleting of the area as well (see above gallery).

Branford Police Chief John DeCarlo said that he feels his department’s effort has paid off. “We know that police agencies can’t solve these types of crimes by themselves. In this case the caller’s awareness was heightened by both the calls and leaflets from our department notifying them of the recent burglary incidents and to report suspicious activity immediately. This is a prime example of a successful police/community partnership.”

Teneyck was charged with third degree burglary and is being held on a $25,000 bond.

If you see a crime happening, please call Branford Police at 203-481-4241.