Two people have been charged in connection with a burglary at a liquor store in West Hartford over the summer where thousands of dollars of high-end liquor was stolen.
Officers on Aug. 29 responded to Cheers Wine and Spirits at 772 Farmington Ave. where a burglary alarm was tripped shortly after 4 a.m., according to the West Hartford Police Department.
Responding officers found that the front glass door was shattered and thousands of dollars of alcohol had been stolen. Surveillance footage showed the suspects involved in the burglary and the vehicle they used, police said.
During the investigation, a West Hartford detective assigned to the Statewide Violent Task Force shared the details of the burglary with the Hartford Police Department and learned that Hartford officers allegedly “had contact” with a similar vehicle a little more than an hour after the burglary, according to police. Police allegedly found dozens of high-end bottles of liquor in the vehicle.
Police said they were then able to identify two suspects in the burglary as Hartford residents Steven Perales-Gonzalez, 21, and Josue Leon-Ortiz, 24. Authorities obtained warrants for their arrests.
Perales-Gonzalez was arrested on Sept. 27, and Leon-Ortiz was charged last Tuesday.
Both men face charges of third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny. Leon-Ortiz was additionally charged with possession of burglary tools.
Perales-Gonzalez posted a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 21. Leon-Ortiz also posted a $15,000 bond and was expected to face a judge on Thursday.
“The West Hartford Police Department would like to thank the Hartford Police Department for their assistance with this investigation,” Lt. Ryan Riley said in a statement.
Anyone with information about the burglary has been encouraged to reach out to the West Hartford Police Department at 860-570-8969 or [email protected].
