Police: Man stole $1,200 in frozen seafood from New Haven restaurant

Gary Lee Rogers Gary Lee Rogers Photo: Contributed Photo — New Haven Police Photo: Contributed Photo — New Haven Police Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Police: Man stole $1,200 in frozen seafood from New Haven restaurant 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> A 47-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police allegedly found $1,200 worth of stolen seafood in his motel room.

Gary Lee Rogers was charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree larceny and second-degree criminal mischief, police spokesman Officer David Hartman said.

The seafood was reported stolen Thursday morning by the owner of Westville Seafood, 1514 Whalley Ave.

Officers John Lalli and Dwight Calderon investigated the theft. With the owner, they review surveillance footage from the restaurant’s security cameras. Westville Seafood’s owner Dave Austin said he installed the cameras about a month ago after a Dec. 18 burglary.

“The footage revealed someone had in fact broken in through a shattered window and made off with some fish,” Hartman said. “They saw the thief pick up a rock and toss it through a window. He then entered, took fish and alcohol and went outside to a waiting red shopping carriage.”

Hartman said video from a camera at the neighboring Goodwill store picked up the man as he pushed the cart toward the Three Judges Motel.

“The officers cast their net over several of the upper Whalley Avenue motels,” Hartman said. “They had a hunch their thief was staying at one of them. When the officers asked around, they learned the perpetrator was likely staying at the nearby Best Way Inn.”

The officers went to the 45 Pond Lily Ave. motel and were pointed toward a room Rogers listed as his address. The officers were invited inside by a woman. Hartman said the officers saw Rogers wearing a jacket seen in the video. A backpack the suspect had also been wearing during the theft was also in the room, according to Hartman.

“Mr. Rogers wasn’t wearing any pants so the Officers asked his companion to retrieve a pair. When she did, a frozen fish dropped to the floor,” Hartman said. “Mr. Rogers was caught – hook, line and sinker.”

The officers also found another frozen fish and two cases of calamari, Hartman said.

“The officers’ supervisor noted they were reel experts and can tackle anything,” Hartman said. “As for the suspect, the evidence sealed his fate. It’s unlikely he’ll get off the hook.”