Branford Police Nab Dunkin Donuts Burglary Suspect

Branford Police were able to capture at the scene one of two men who allegedly attempted to rob the North Main Street Dunkin Donuts early Sunday morning — which included stealing the shop's safe and holding a delivery man hostage. 

According to Capt. Geoff Morgan, Branford patrol officers officers were able to take into custody one of two burglary suspects just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning after they removed a safe and detained a delivery man at Dunkin Donuts at 112 North Main Street.

"Police responded to the delivery man’s emergency 911 call after he was released by his captures as they attempted to flee the area," Morgan stated in a press release.

Officer Arrives, Suspects Flee

He added that Branford Police Sgt. John Alves "was in the very immediate area" as the 911 call was received and dispatched. 

"Alves noticed a pick-up truck exiting the parking lot directly across from the Dunkin Donuts and as he attempted to stop the vehicle two suspects exited the truck, running in opposite directions," Morgan stated.

Sgt. Alves was able to pursue and capture Rogerio L. Lopes, 30, of North Terrace Avenue in Mount Vernon, N.Y. 

Safe, Cash Recovered

Morgan said that officers recovered the donut shop’s stolen safe in the vehicle and cash from the business that had been tossed away by Lopes as he fled the scene. 

The department’s K-9, Neeko, was used to attempt to locate the second suspect. But Morgan said he was not captured "after a lengthy search of the area."

'An Excellent Job'

Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran said that the officers "did an excellent job capturing Rogerio Lopez."

"And we are grateful the delivery man was released un-harmed," Halloran stated in the release.

He added that he's confident that detectives will learn the identity of the second suspect.

"And he will eventually be arrested as well," the police chief s

Multiple Charges

Rogerio Lopes was charged with: 

• Unlawful Restraint, 1st degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Restraint in the 1st. degree
• Burglary, 3rd. degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Burglary
• Criminal Mischief, 1st. degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief 1st. degree
• Larceny, 3rd. degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, 3rd. degree

He was held on a $75,000 bond and arraigned in New Haven court Monday morning.