MONROE, CT — Monroe police detectives served warrants to two suspects being held at Bridgeport Superior Court on unrelated charges on Feb. 21.
One man was arrested in connection with the burglary of Havana on 25 Cigar Lounge on Main Street on Sept. 22, 2022. The other suspect was charged in the burglary of the Gulf Gas station, 536 Monroe Turnpike, on July 13, 2023.
Eric Angel Aviles, 19, whose last known address is 103 Hawkins St. in Derby, was charged with third-degree burglary, fifth-degree larceny and first-degree criminal mischief. Bond was set at $50,000 and he was arraigned the same day.
He also faces similar charges in several other towns, including Shelton, West Haven and Milford.
On July 13, 2023, Monroe officers responded to the report of a burglary at the Gulf Gas station on Route 111. The front window was broken to gain entry and money and cigarettes appeared to have been taken, according to police.
Evidence collected at the scene, including a DNA sample, led investigators to identify Aviles as a suspect and an arrest warrant was applied for.
Cigar lounge burglary
Monroe police detectives served Dominik Marini, 20, of 525 High St. in Naugatuck, with a warrant at Bridgeport Superior Court on Feb. 21.
He was charged with burglary in the third degree, conspiracy to commit burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, conspiracy to committee criminal mischief in the second degree, larceny in the sixth degree and conspiracy to commit larceny in the sixth degree.
Bond was set at $40,000 and he was arraigned the same day.
On Sept. 22, 2022, Monroe officers responded to a burglar alarm at Havana on 25 Cigar Lounge at 3:18 a.m. and found glass to the front door frame smashed out.
Police said the cash register and multiple cigar lighters were stolen, as well as a small amount of cash. Evidence collected at the scene helped detectives to identify Marini as a suspect in the crime, according to the report.
That night, the same vehicle used in the Monroe burglary was linked to similar crimes in the state, including Norwalk, Monroe Police Lt. Michael Sweeney said.
Yellow paint …
Police responded to a vandalism complaint at the entrance to Great Oak Farm on Cutlers Farm Road Saturday, after a curse word and an unreadable symbol was spray painted across the stop line.
Police said the paint was faded and no evidence was left at the scene to link someone to the vandalism.
A similar incident at the end of a residential driveway on Cutlers Farm Road was reported on Feb. 18 and police said yellow paint was also found on United Methodist Church’s driveway, though the church did not wish to file a complaint.
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