Southington 'Dumpster Diving' Turns Into Commercial Theft Arrest

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Officers broke up a commercial theft last month in Southington, according to a police report.

Daniel Francis Meyer, 32, of New Britain, was charged with third-degree burglary, fifth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief, police said.

The case dates back to Feb. 17. At 3:30 that morning, officers received a report about a suspicious vehicle at Brophy Metals, 364 Old Turnpike Road. According to a police report, a witness reported seeing people behind the building with a flashlight.

Brophy Metals is a local hardware and fastener manufacturer that allows the tree maintenance company Asplundh to park bucket trucks in its lot, police said.

Police encountered Meyer when he walked from the rear of the building, according to a report.

Meyer told officers a friend had dropped him off and that he was just "dumpster diving, an activity he claimed to participate in "multiple times a week," according to a police report.

Meyer had on him a metal clamp, believed to be brass or copper, police said. Police also recovered tools later confirmed to be stolen from an Asplundh truck in a white colored Mazda 3i, parked just south/adjacent to Brophy Metals.

During their investigation, officers were able to link Meyer's vehicle to a similar theft in Rocky Hill on Feb. 14, according t0 a police report.

Meyer was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is to appear in court on March 29, police said.