Car Burglary Suspects Had Child with Them: Groton Police

Two  individuals suspected of burglarizing cars at the Groton Dog Park had a child with them at the time of the crime, police said.

Police stopped Jose J. Garcia, 39, and Sophia Torres, 37, from stealing from a car there, interrupting a Tuesday burglary while surveiling the area, police said. Officers and detectives began monitoring the dog park after numerous reports of larcenies in cars parked there. The park is on the Copp property along Gold Star Highway in Groton.

Garcia and Torres, who live together in New London, had a 5-year-old child with them during the burglary, police said. The child, who is directly related to Garcia, is currently in the care of other family members, police said.

Police charged Garcia with third-degree burglary and sixth-degree larceny and Torres with accessory to those crimes. Both also face a risk of injury to a minor charge because a child witnessed the crime.

Groton police are holding both suspects on $25,000 bonds until their Wednesday court appearance.

Waterford police also have a warrant out for Torres' arrest in an unrelated case, but police did not release details on the other charges.

The department cautions residents about where they store valuables in their cars.

"Always lock your car doors, and always store valuables out of site," Lt. John W. Varone, detective commander for the Groton Town Police Department, said in a press release.

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