Pond Drowning Ruled an Accident
A New Year's Day pond death in Easton has been ruled an accident. Brian Desmond, 42, was found in a car that was partially submerged in a pond off Mile Common. The report released Thursday says Desmond had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit and cocaine was also found in his body. An autopsy lists the cause of death as drowning. A check of cell phone records indicates that Desmond was heading to a friend's house when he drove his car into the pond, according to police.
Man Accused is Store Scam Arrested
Police in Connecticut have arrested a New Hampshire man who is accused of trying to scam a woman out of $9,000 at the Crystal Mall in Waterford. Police said Dino DiBenedetto, 28, of Manchester, N.H., posed as a Sears employee and offered a woman discounted overstocked electronics. She returned with about $9,000 cash but the scam was thwarted when a real Sears employee was alerted, police said. When police arrived at the mall, DiBenedetto fled but was found a short time later hiding on the front porch of a home. He was arrested Thursday after a foot race and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
Deli Robbery
Local
Police are investigating a burglary at Goldberg's New York Bagel Deli on New Britain Avenue in West Hartford. An employee noticed the break-in at 1:45 a.m., Friday. It is unclear what was taken. The state police K-9 unit was brought in to try and track the suspect, but was unsuccessful.
