Oxford Man a 'Person of Interest' in Monroe Burglaries

Police believe they have solved a series of daytime burglaries that occurred in Oxford and at least five other Connecticut municipalities within the past two months.

State police troopers in Oxford have charged Raymond Reynolds, 28, a convicted felon whose last known address was 55 Old State Road in connection with three separate burglaries that occurred last month at homes on Copper Mine, Bee Mountain and Good Hill roads.

Reynolds, who has prior convictions for narcotic and burglary charges dating back four years, is also a person of interest in recent burglary cases in Southbury, New Fairfield, Danbury, Monroe and Stratford, according to a news release from Connecticut state police.

"Each home (in Oxford) was forcibly entered and a large amount of jewelry was stolen," Oxford Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said.

As of last week, Reynolds was being held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center in lieu of a $30,000 court set bond. He is scheduled to appear at Derby Superior Court on Tuesday, Nov. 16, for a pre-trial conference to face the Oxford charges, and again at Bridgeport Superior Court on Wednesday, Nov. 17, for a pre-trial conference in connection with the Stratford case, according to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website.

In all three Oxford cases, Semosky said Reynolds forced his way inside homes, stuffed jewelry and other valuables into pillowcases and left without harming anyone, he said.

Oxford troopers first came into contact with Reynolds on Oct. 22 when they went to his home on Old State Road, or Route 67, to assist the Stratford Police Department in serving a burglary warrant for a home break-in that occurred in that town. Semosky said troopers noticed Reynolds had heroin and other drugs in his possession when they arrived, and they arrested him for possession of narcotics.

He posted bond and was staying in New Milford when he was located last week by Oxford troopers, who were assisted by members of the New Milford Police Department, Semosky said.

Most burglars locally appear to be searching for items they can trade for money, Semosky said.

"You hear a lot of people saying crime is going up because of the economy, but we're not really seeing people are doing this to feed their families," he said.

He said people can protect themselves and their neighbors from burglars by keeping a watch on their communities.

"If people see something out of the ordinary, we want them to call the office" at 203-888-4353. "It's better to err on the side of caution."

Reynolds was charged in Oxford last week with three counts of third-degree burglary, and he could face charges from other communities. Oxford's case remains under investigation, and Reynolds may be charged with more burglaries in Oxford, Semosky said.