Three men were found in possession of burglary tools and West Hartford Police believe they were about to commit a commercial burglary or larceny at a New Park Avenue business. [Updated with bond information, Jan. 2, 2020]

By Ronni Newton

An alert West Hartford Police officer on routine patrol early Thursday morning likely thwarted a burglary or larceny at a local business, police said.

Police said that Off. John Begin was on routine patrol at 1:44 a.m. Jan. 2 when he spotted two men on foot in the area of 635 New Park Ave.

The two men attempted to evade the Off. Begin by going behind a building, and were not forthcoming when he made contact with them, police said.

Police determined that the two men were connected to a third suspect who was found sitting in a rented U-Haul truck parked at 1078 New Britain Ave., a parking lot adjacent to 635 New Park.

Inside the truck, police said they found “numerous burglar tools” as well as a snowblower, determined to have been stolen.

The man who was sitting in the U-Haul had an outstanding PRAWN warrant, police said. PRAWN – the acronym for “Paperless Re-Arrest Warrant Network” – is a system that keeps track of warrants for items such as failure to appear in court or probation violations.

Police said they believe that at least two of the three men were planning a commercial burglary and/or larceny, likely from Butler Power Equipment at 631 New Park Ave.

Anthony Thompson, 46, of East Hartford, was charged with interfering with an officer, possession of burglary tools, and criminal impersonation. His bond was set at $50,000 and he is due in court Jan. 16.

Akinjagunla “Shameek” Ojediran-Afrika, 47, of Wethersfield, was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of burglary tools. His bond was set at $25,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16.

John Moore, 57, of Manchester, was charged with failure to respond to an infraction and possession of burglary tools. His bond was set at $25,000 (plus $150 from the PRAWN charge) and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16.

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