Police: Man, 57, Admits To Stealing Copper From Closed Motel

NIANTIC, CT — The motel is under renovation and closed, but copper pipes and other metals had gone missing at the site, which prompted a police investigation.

Thursday, East Lyme police announced an arrest in connection with the thefts at the Niantic Motel on Flanders Road.

According to a police report, Frank Debartolo, 57, of Niantic, "admitted to stealing" from the motel from early August to early September.

The report says Debartolo admitted to going into the closed motel six times and stealing "brass, aluminum, copper, and steel," in the form of railings, vent covers, and steel cables."

Debartolo was charged with six counts of criminal trespass, four counts of third-degree burglary and six counts of sixth-degree larceny. He was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is due in New London Superior Court Nov. 18.