By Christine Dempsey
The Hartford Courant
HARTFORD, Conn. — Southington police said they have arrested a man who used a “Jaws of Life” hydraulic tool to break into ATMs across the state, stealing up to $300,000 in cash.
Joshua Moore of Shelton was arrested Friday at Superior Court in Bristol and charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and first-degree criminal mischief, they said. He was in custody on $25,000 bail, with a total bond — including charges from other departments — of more than $500,000.
He targeted towns as far north as Canton, as far west as Greenwich and as far east as Stonington, police said.
According to police, Southington detectives suspect Moore broke into the ATM machine in the Dunkin’ on West Street. Their investigation revealed that the thief focused primarily on the machine, and that he used a battery-powered hydraulic spreader similar to what firefighters use when extricating motorists from crushed vehicles.
Multiple towns had similar thefts, and their police departments worked together to come up with a suspect. Searches confirmed that Moore bought a Holmatro BCT 4120 self-contained rescue tool from eBay before the commercial ATM burglaries, police said.
Greenwich police were the first to suspect Moore, Southington police said. They took him into custody in January.
In all, police estimate that Moore stole between $200,000 and $300,000 in cash from the ATM burglaries. In addition to Southington, Canton and Greenwich, he faces charges from Stratford, Shelton, Stamford, Monroe, Clinton and Stonington.
©2019 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)