A former Glastonbury police officer, Patrick Hemingway, is suspected of being a serial burglar, allegedly committing 30 or more thefts in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Hemingway, 37, is believed to have targeted safes and cash registers at restaurants and businesses in these states, according to a newly unsealed warrant.
Surveillance videos cited in the warrant show a suspect resembling Hemingway, who was seen wearing a mask, gloves, and a hooded sweatshirt while holding a flashlight and a coiled, corded object resembling a portable police radio. The warrant also mentions the use of lock-picking tools in some of the burglaries.
Hemingway resigned from the Glastonbury Police Department on September 1, leaving behind a bag that included a lock-picking tool kit. Cell phone data and images of a vehicle resembling one owned by Hemingway’s wife, spotted at multiple break-ins, are also mentioned in the warrant.
Hemingway was initially arrested as a fugitive from justice on September 22 at a New Jersey airport, where he was studying to become a commercial pilot. He was extradited to Connecticut and charged with computer crimes and making a false statement. The warrant for the computer crime alleges that Hemingway misused a police database 80 times.
While the investigation into the burglaries continues, Hemingway is currently held on a $1 million bond. His lawyer, James E. Sulick, argued in court that the bond was too high and stated that he would review the case with his client before making further comments.
The Glastonbury Police Department had previously issued a news release stating that they had alerted the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes unit about a former officer being a person of interest in a recent burglary. The department did not disclose the officer’s name and stated that they would not provide further comments.
