01/14/08

                    HOME INVASION TASK FORCE UPDATE

On June 20, 2007, a Law Enforcement Task Force consisting of representatives from the Division of Criminal Justice, the Connecticut Department of Corrections, the Connecticut State Police, and several local Police Departments was assembled for the purpose of investigating a series of home invasions that had occurred in the capitol region and beyond.  Many of the home invasions that were the subject of the investigation were violent in nature wherein the victims were restrained and assaulted.  Based on similarities in the manner in which the home invasions were committed and in the descriptions of the perpetrators, law enforcement authorities believed that an organized group of individuals was responsible. 

The task force conducted an intensive investigation throughout the summer. A dedicated group of state and local law enforcement officers conducted almost round the clock surveillance and utilized numerous other investigative techniques in an attempt to solve these crimes. 

On September 14, 2007, after eighty-seven days of investigation, over 120 state, local, and federal law enforcement officers gathered to execute search warrants for evidence and arrest warrants for the individuals believed to be involved in the criminal activities. 

Teams were formed to execute the warrants.  Execution of the warrants resulted in the seizure of evidence from the home invasions as well as evidence of other criminal activities.  The evidence gathered indicates that the targets of the warrants were involved in a large conspiracy to commit a wide array of criminal activities, including home invasions, for financial gain.  Several individuals were arrested on charges ranging from conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, robbery in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, and kidnapping in the first degree. 

To date, eight individuals Raul Robles, Hector Colon, Jorge Santos, Alexis Melendez, Tracy Beauchamp, Ulisis Robles, Jermaine Gonzalez and Trizane Richardson have been arrested on charges related to home invasion investigations and/or other crimes in Hartford, New Haven, Cromwell, and Coventry.  In addition there were two more arrests today 01/14/08 (see attached two releases).

They all are exposed to substantial periods of incarceration.  It is important to note that, at this point, the charges against these individuals are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent.

The Home Invasion Task Force is continuing to investigate these and numerous other home invasions believed to have been committed by this group of individuals and their associates.  Just recently an arrest was made for a home invasion committed in Coventry.  Further arrests are expected in connection with that incident. 

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