Woman Hid In Trash Can After Liquor Store Burglary: Middletown PD

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Two people with extensive criminal histories were arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with the overnight burglary of a liquor store in Middletown, according to police.

Nicholas Provencher, of Enfield, is accused of breaking the front glass door of The Bottle Shop at 520 South Main St. and stealing around $280 worth of items and $300 in cash, according to police.

Erica Mason, 36, of Windsor, was found hiding in a city trash can after running from the getaway car, according to the arrest report.

An officer conducting property checks around 4:20 a.m. saw a vehicle with an open passenger door in front of The Bottle Shop. A person, later identified as Mason, was seen in the driver’s seat and the officer tried to position the police cruiser behind the vehicle, which had tape covering the marker plate, according to the report.

Police said Mason drove off, heading north on South Main Street. The officer tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop but lost sight of the vehicle as Mason sped away, according to police.

Another officer found the vehicle in a back yard on Crescent Street. Provencher was in the passenger seat and Mason was seen getting out of the driver’s seat and running away, police said.

Mason was found hiding in a city trash can about 15 feet from the vehicle, according to police.

The marker plate didn’t match the vehicle and the Vehicle Identified Number in the DMV files was canceled due to being sold and was uninsured, police wrote in the report.

Video surveillance at The Bottle Shop showed Provencher breaking the front glass door around 4:20 a.m., according to police.

Once inside, police said Provencher stole about $300 in cash and coins, a $37.99 liquor bottle and two cartons of cigarettes worth about $240.

Mason was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer, operating vehicle under suspension, operating vehicle without insurance, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, failure to drive in proper lane and improper use of marker plate. She was being held in lieu of a $75,000 bond with a court date of July 16, according to state judicial records.

Police said Mason has 10 previous convictions for third-degree burglary, two sixth-degree larceny convictions, two third-degree larceny convictions, one fifth-degree larceny conviction and one fourth-degree larceny conviction. She also has three pending third-degree burglary cases and six pending sixth-degree larceny cases, according to police.

Provencher was charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree larceny. He was being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond with a court date of July 16, according to judicial records.

Police said Provencher has seven previous convictions for burglary, two sixth-degree larceny convictions, two convictions for failure to appear, and convictions for second-degree breach of peace, third-degree assault, interfering with police, possession of drugs, sale of illegal drug, possession with intent to sell, issuing a bad check, third-degree criminal mischief, violation of protective order and criminal impersonation.