MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A former Connecticut police officer of two towns faced a judge Thursday morning at Middletown Superior Court. He was accused of breaking into several small businesses throughout the state while he was supposed to be enforcing the law.
These charges, however, are just the latest charges. He is also accused of committing another crime.
"It’s just crazy to find out it was a police officer who’s breaking into places," said Stavros Gianitsos, owner of the Old Saybrook Pizza Palace.
Gianitsos was stunned to find out the person accused of breaking into his business back in May was a police officer.
He is 37-year-old Patrick Hemingway, formerly of the Glastonbury and New Britain Police Departments.
"Saw footprints, saw he had stepped on a handler out there and got through the window, but once he tried to enter the building, my alarm went off," added Gianitsos.
Though nothing was taken at the pizza shop, back in February, prosecutors said Hemingway also broke into the Old Wethersfield Country Store where a cash register drawer was stolen with $200 inside.
These crimes were committed while Hemingway was a police officer for the Glastonbury Police Department.
His attorney, James E. Sulick spoke after the hearing.
"It’s not alleged in the warrant that anything was taken. That may affect the charge of burglary versus trespass, we’ll see," said Sulick.
On top of the dozens of business burglaries, Hemingway was already held on a $1 million bond for his computer crime charge from two months ago.
Hemingway allegedly accessed the state's criminal database illegally while also a Glastonbury police officer.
The judge said Hemingway would be subject to IPS and GPS monitoring if he bonded out.
Attorney Sulick highlighted Hemingway's time in war during the hearing.
"Did two tours in Afghanistan, did combat in Afghanistan as an infantryman, and then flew combat missions as a helicopter pilot," added Sulick.
Hemingway is being held on a $15,000 bond and is expected to reappear in court in January.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and X.
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