Cops: man cut hole in wall to steal beer

BRIDGEPORT -- How do you steal half a case of beer from a local deli without setting foot in the store? Saw a hole in the wall.

Police said a burglar swiped a 12-pack of beer from Red Rooster Deli at 256 Oak St. about 2 a.m. Thursday by carving a hole through an exterior wall and the rear of a walk-in refrigerator pushed up against it.

Without entering the deli, police said the man took the beer and then fled in a Ford Escort on North Avenue toward Park Avenue.

Police later found the man in his vehicle with an open beer bottle, a large chisel and a hand saw.

Rui J. Rua, 45, of Frank Street, Bridgeport, with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, larceny and criminal mischief.