Surveillance conducted by the Community Services Unit led to the arrest of a man suspected of involvement in commercial and residential burglaries over the past 10 months.

By Ronni Newton

A Hartford man suspected in a rash of commercial and residential burglaries over the past 10 months is currently in custody after he was arrested Sept. 25 by West Hartford Police following surveillance by the Community Services Unit (CSU).

Capt. Michael Perruccio said that police had determined Josue Alberto Cruz, 31, of Montrose Street in Hartford was a suspect in multiple West Hartford burglaries. Information developed by police indicated that Cruz would be at his home on Sept. 25, and CSU set up surveillance on Montrose Street at approximately 6 p.m..

According to Perruccio, officers observed someone, believed to be Cruz, leaving the residence and getting into a vehicle. Police followed the car to Advanced Scaffolding Services at 620 Oakwood Ave. in West Hartford.

Perruccio said that officers observed as the driver “walked inside of a fenced area at that address.”

Based on the actions observed by police on surveillance, which Perruccio said included walking around while carrying different items on the premises, police had reason to believe that the man was in the process of stealing items from the business.

According to Perruccio, officers called for additional support, including a K-9 unit, and set up a perimeter around the fence at 620 Oakwood Ave.

At approximately 10 p.m., police said, the suspect jumped the fence and headed in the direction of officers. A foot pursuit ensued, Perruccio said, and the suspect, identified as Cruz, was apprehended by a Hartford Police Department K-9 unit at 145 Newfield Ave.

Cruz was transported to Hartford Hospital for treatment of a K-9 bite, Perruccio said. He was released to the custody of police and remains in custody on $100,000 bond. His next court appearance is Oct. 28.

Police said they were able to recover a significant amount of property that had been reported stolen, including hardware items such as saws, Shop-Vacs, and other items totaling $4,450 in value.

Online court records indicate that Cruz has had previous arrests on burglary charges.

Perruccio said that police are also looking into the possibly that Cruz was involved in an earlier burglary reported at 620 Oakwood Ave.

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