Dirt Bike Thief Tripped Up by Scooter He Left Behind: Shelton Police

By Alfred Branch (Patch Staff)

SHELTON, CT — A 54-year-old Shelton man allegedly stole a dirt bike out of a garage on Monday, but officers caught him because he left a scooter behind that he came back to retrieve, according to police.

John Rotz was charged with with Larceny 3rd degree and Burglary 3rd degree in connection with the 2 p.m. incident.

According to Shelton police, a nearby homeowner notified the department that "a male walked onto the property, entered a detached garage and drove off with a dirt bike, which was inside the garage."

Police located a scooter parked down the street from the reported burglary, and as officers were on scene investigating, Rotz returned to claim the scooter parked on the street.

Officers were able to link Rotz to the burglary and quickly recovered the stolen dirt bike, which was hidden in the woods.

Rotz was released after posting a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on Aug. 18.

Photo: John Rotz. Photo credit: Shelton Police Department