A resident observed the theft Wednesday morning and contacted West Hartford Police.

By Ronni Newton

Police charged a New Britain man Wednesday afternoon who was found riding a bicycle that a witness observed being stolen from her neighbor’s yard earlier in the day.

According to police, a Red Top Drive resident called police at 10:23 a.m. Wednesday after seeing a “suspicious male” take a bicycle from her neighbor’s yard.

The suspect was located by police a short time later, riding the bike on the path that follows the CTfastrak busway from Newington into New Britain.

According to police, the suspect did not respond to a request by police to stop, and instead left the bike and attempted to run away by scaling a fence but was apprehended by Off. Christopher Lyth before he could get away.

Police said that the suspect, identified as Donald Crocket, 55, of New Britain, told them he was “just borrowing the bike and left a note for the owner.” Police said that they did not find a note.

Crockett was charged with sixth-degree larceny, third-degree criminal mischief, simple trespass, and interfering with an officer.

Crockett’s bond was set at $1,500 and he is due in court on June 7.

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