Crime & Safety

Resident Detains Alleged Burglar By Grip-Up

Branford Police report resident keeps burglar suspect at bay by holding him up by his jacket until authorities arrived.

A 911 emergency dispatcher reported a Branford resident contacted police just after 1 a.m. this morning when he arrived home and stated a 23-year-old neighbor was burglarizing his garage. 

Police report, the E-911 telecommunicator inquired, “Where is he now sir (indicating the suspect’s location)?" The resident replied, “I have him by the jacket up against the garage door.”

According to a press release, Branford Police said when officers arrived, they located and arrested Alexander Laudano, 23, of 18 Windmill Hill Rd., Branford, who was still in the clutches of the captor. The resident's two elder parents were sleeping in the home, stated police. 

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"Branford Police determined that Laudano was in the midst of stealing power tools and beer from the garage when he was captured. Further investigation reveled that Laudano was also responsible for stealing items from at least three other parked cars in the area prior to his apprehension," the press release stated.

Sgt. David Galdenzi, who supervised the investigation said, “We were surprised when dispatch informed us that the complainant was holding the suspect by the shirt at the scene. This young thief got quite an earful from the resident in the three minutes that it took us to arrive.” Galdenzi added, “The resident did a great job.”

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Laudano was charged with first-degree burglary and four counts of sixth-degree Larceny. He was released from custody on a $2,500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in New Haven court on April 24, 2012.


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