Police: Major Fencing Organization in East Haven, Branford Busted

Working together the and departments have uncovered an alleged major fencing operation within the two towns, as well as other surroundings areas.

The investigation — which has been ongoing for several months — culminated in a seizure this past Friday when detectives seized truckloads of retail merchandise including: power and hand tools, commercial lawn and garden mowers, ATV’s, snow blowers, power washers, household appliances and other items.

Branford Police Detective Lieutenant William Carroll, who spearheaded the investigation, said, “We have been working in partnership with Home Depot and Target to track merchandise that has been stolen from their stores and fenced in a number of illegal operations. At his point no arrest have been made, however we believe that we will have an arrest made soon.” 

Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran said that detectives, officers from East Haven Police Department and representatives from Home Depot and Target have begun the daunting process of cataloging all of the evidence and attempting to determine its rightful owner.

“I would image that the process could take the officers days to complete,” Halloran said. “I, along with the citizens of our communities, are grateful for their diligent work in disrupting this type of organized criminal activity.”

(Editor's Note: This news brief is based upon a press release from the Branford Police Deparmtent.)