EAST HAMPTON, Conn. — A former Glastonbury police officer already accused of multiple burglaries was arrested again after allegedly breaking into an East Hampton restaurant.
Patrick Hemingway, 37, was arrested on Dec. 6 for allegedly breaking into Loco Perro Restaurant on East High Street in March.
According to an arrest warrant, police were called to the restaurant on March 8 around 1:50 a.m. after a security alarm was activated. The business owner told police that security cameras inside captured an unidentified person removing cash from a register before fleeing in a vehicle.
Security cameras also spotted a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee in the restaurant’s parking lot just before the security alarms were triggered. A person tried unsuccessfully to get into the restaurant via a kitchen door before pulling a tool from his pocket.
After picking the lock, the suspect entered the restaurant and immediately went to the cash register. The suspect then leaves the restaurant.
After investigating the burglary, area businesses were asked to check for any additional burglaries that might have taken place that evening.
Police said surveillance video captured the same suspect attempting to pick the lock at the Lakeside Bar & Grill about 8 minutes after the burglary at Loco Perro Restaurant.
East Hampton police were able to connect the burglary to Hemingway, who is accused of targeting more than 30 businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to steal money. Investigators have said the alleged burglaries occurred between February 2023 and June 2023.
Investigators used cell phone data and surveillance videos to identify Hemingway as a suspect. Another commonality in the burglaries was a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, which investigators determined was registered in his wife’s name.
For the alleged crimes in East Hampton, Hemingway is facing charges of burglary, criminal mischief, larceny and criminal attempt to commit burglary.
Hemingway was a member of the Glastonbury Police Department at the time of the alleged crimes. Investigators said he logged into a police database at least 80 times to see if he was being investigated by other police departments.
Hemingway was also a New Britain police officer from August 2009 to January 2019. He transferred to the Glastonbury Police Department in January 2019.
The Glastonbury Police Department issued a statement in November regarding Hemingway. It said the officers were feeling a "mix of embarrassment and anger."
“We acknowledge the recent arrests of Mr. Hemingway and are aware that there may be additional arrests pending,” Glastonbury Police Chief Marshall S. Porter said in a statement. “The Glastonbury Police staff feels a mix of embarrassment and anger, as it is disheartening to see someone who once wore our patch and worked alongside us blatantly betray the public's trust.”
Porter said Hemingway’s actions stand in “stark contrast to the bravery, dedication, and hard work exhibited by the men and women” in his police department.
“Our officers have sworn an oath to safeguard and serve the Glastonbury community,” he said. “Through the years of unwavering dedication, they have diligently upheld this commitment, fostering positive and collaborative relationships.”
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