Man Arrested at Cromwell Hotel Linked to Hartford Homicide Suspect

The investigation into Hartford's fifth homicide of the year led police to a hotel in Cromwell, where they arrested a man on unrelated charges and seized two cars.

Hartford police said homicide detectives probing last night's murder on Blue Hills Avenue obtained leads that brought them to the Quality Inn on Berlin Road in Cromwell.

"Our detectives overnight collected information that led us to that hotel," explained Hartford police spokesman Deputy Chief Brian Foley. "While we were there, we obtained a search warrant for one of the hotel rooms. He was in that hotel room."

According to court records, police arrested 38-year-old James Canidate on assault charges stemming from a separate incident involving the homicide victim, 31-year-old Teniel Mack.

Canidate is accused of stabbing Mack and was also charged with violation of probation.

Police are not calling Canidate a murder suspect and said they continue to investigate the homicide.

"Our detectives are going to continue to investigate the homicide," Foley said. "I would call the investigation active; I'd call it open... We are moving in a positive direction for such a terrible event."

Authorities photographed and towed two vehicles from the hotel: a black Ford and a green Honda Accord.

Hotel staff said police have not provided them with details of the investigation.

"As for safety of our staff and our guests we take great security measurements. We take Ids [sic], we lock all doors and only allow registered guest in at night, and also monitor all areas," Al Patlikh, general manager of Quality Inn, said in a statement Friday.

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