Suspects Charged In Ellington, Stafford Burglaries

ELLINGTON-STAFFORD, CT — Charges have been filed against two men suspected of burglarizing an Ellington business in February, moments after attempting to break into a Stafford gas station about five miles away.

Mason Nickelson, 31, of North Carolina and Daniel Perez, 41, of Hartford, have been charged with second-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary in connection with an early morning burglary attempt Feb. 21 at the Big Y Express gas station on Route 190 in Stafford, followed almost immediately by a break-in at the Ellington Depot Deli on the corner of Routes 140 and 32 in Ellington.

According to an affidavit from state police supporting the men's arrests, troopers responded to the Ellington scene at 4:54 a.m., finding the front door smashed and discovering entry had been made into the building. A cash drawer was on the floor and merchandise was scattered, prompting a police canine unit to be called in.

While an investigation was unfolding, a dispatcher at Troop C in Tolland received a call from an employee at the Big Y Express, stating someone had attempted to gain entry prior to his arrival. A metal pry bar had been used, but the suspect(s) had been unable to access the building, according to the affidavit.

Troopers and Stafford police reviewed video footage from the gas station, which showed a newer model red Kia Soul with considerable fender and bumper damage arriving at 4:31 a.m. Two people got out of the vehicle, but could not get into the building and left the scene heading westbound, according to the affidavit.

Video surveillance footage from Ellington Depot showed an SUV pulling in front of the business around 4:45 a.m. Two people exited the vehicle and smashed in the door with a blunt instrument, then took a number of items, including cigarettes, cigars, candy bars and change from the cash register, according to the affidavit.

Around 2 p.m. that day, a narcotics task force on a surveillance operation in Hartford witnessed a red Kia Soul with North Carolina plates pull into a 7-Eleven store parking lot. A detective recalled hearing a BOLO on the Kia, and task force members arrested Nickelson and Perez. An examination of the Kia yielded burglar tools, a ski mask and a pillow case full of change and candy bars, according to the affidavit.

The estimated loss for the Ellington Depot Deli owners, including damage, stolen items and expenses for having to close temporarily, totaled $5,585, state police said.

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