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08/14/2017 12:00 AMAfter more than a dozen burglaries across town that put Guilford residents on high alert, residents now may be able to sleep a little sounder. As of 2 p.m. on Aug. 14, Guilford Police apprehended a suspect believed to be involved with multiple burglaries across town. On Aug. 15, Guilford Police identified the male suspect as Edward Richkowski, 45, of East Haven. Richkowski is expected to be initially charged with burglary and interfering charges.
Police said an investigation is ongoing concerning Richkowski's involvement in multiple burglaries in Guilford and neighboring towns.
The suspect was identified after a neighbor witnessed a burglary in process in the area of Seaside Avenue. According to Guilford Police, the department received the call around 10 a.m.; the neighbor notified officers of the attempted break-in, knowing the owners of the home in question were not in the residence at the time.
The suspect, identified then as a white male, took off through the marsh and was apprehended near the boatyard near Chaffinch Island. The Guilford Fire Department, Connecticut State Police, Madison Police, North Branford Police, and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection joined in the search, according to Guilford Police Chief Jeff Hutchinson.
"The neighbor had seen him breaking in and questioned him and he [the suspect] took off on foot through the marsh on Seaside Avenue," he said. "From that point on we have had several sightings. A couple saw him swimming across the channel toward Chaffinch Island and we have been looking back and forth the whole time."
During the search, the helicopter pilots of Trooper 1 located the suspect, who was then apprehended by Madison Police officer Sgt. Bryan Baxter and his K9 partner Paco. Hutchinson said the suspect matches numerous descriptions from prior burglaries in town. At this point, police believe the suspect acted alone.
"We will start working on tying him into as many burglaries as he is responsible for," said Hutchinson. "Hopefully this is the end of it."
Over the past several weeks leading up to the arrest, Guilford had been the target of an increased number of home burglaries. According to a press release from the Guilford Police Department on Aug. 5, the department was actively investigating seven incidents that had taken place since June 30.
As of Aug 8, Hutchinson said two more burglaries had occurred. However, as officers continued to investigate, Hutchinson said one of the more recent incidents had provided clues as to how the suspects operated and what they might look like.
"The [incident] yesterday was interrupted and we were not able to locate the person, but what they are doing is knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell, which is not unusual to try and see if someone is home," he said. "If someone answers the door, it is, 'Oh I am looking for so and so' or 'Do you have directions?' or 'I am selling this.'"
Hutchinson said if residents have experienced a similar situation in recent weeks or did in the future, don't assume the people at the door are actually lost or trying to sell something. Though Richkowski is in custody, police ask residents to stay alert and to contact the department with any information relating to similar incidents
via the routine line, 203-453-8061, or by calling 911 in the event of an emergency.