News 8 Exclusive: Former police officer charged in restaurant burglary in South Windsor

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — A suspect has been charged in connection to a burglary at a South Windsor restaurant last April. Patrick Hemingway, a former Glastonbury and New Britain Police Officer, was charged with third-degree burglary.

Surveillance footage captured the incident, revealing Hemingway’s alleged crimes on video for the first time.

“Broke the lock and everything so, he knew what he was doing,” said Alexis Wolf, The Mill on the River Manager.

Hemingway, arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, knew what he was doing through police training. According to police he allegedly robbed over 45 businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, including The Mill on the River, all while an officer with Glastonbury Police.

“I was so shocked when they told us it was him and that he was a Glastonbury policeman,” Wolf said.

The arrest warrant revealed Hemingway used a face mask and gloves and held a flashlight in a tactical manner used in police technique.

“He had a mask over his face. We had great footage of him from every angle where he went in the building and how he got in but he had gloves, the mask, a hoodie and he just seemed to know where to navigate in the building. We figured this is something he had done before,” Wolf said.

South Windsor Police said the 37-year-old broke into the restaurant last April. He was arrested for the crime earlier this month.

Wolf said he broke in through their glass patio door and went straight for their safe.

“Everything kind of clicks especially looking at the footage but I never would have thought in a million years that’s who it would have been,” said Wolf.

Wolf said their second alarm system was triggered when the suspect entered through this door into their office. That scared him off and thankfully she said nothing was taken but there still was damage. She said the door and trim needed to be replaced.

“Kind of disturbing because I feel like he almost scouted the place beforehand because he knew exactly where to go for the office which is not labeled and broke the door,” Wolf said.

Hemingway has also been charged with burglaries in Wethersfield, Old Saybrook, East Hampton, Stratford and Manchester. Police said additional burglaries are being investigated.

Wolf said her family is grateful for South Windsor Police and their enhanced security system.

“Our security really prevented something worse happening that day,” Wolf said. “Sounds like he needs help and I hope there’s justice.”

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