Gun Store Burglary Suspect Arrested

Orange Police have vigorously continued to investigate the burglary at CT Firearms & Tactical that occurred on Friday, April 22.

About 90 minutes after the burglary complaint, the department received information that the Yale University Police Department had made an arrest of a 16 year old male in New Haven for possession of one of the hand guns stolen in the burglary.

Off. Otero of Yale University Police observed youth acting suspiciously in the area of Crown St. & High St. in New Haven at about 1:05 a.m. Off. Otero investigated further and determined the youth was in possession of a hand gun.

He took the youth into custody and determined the hand gun had been reported stolen in the CT Firearms & Tactical burglary.

Investigators collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as New Haven and North Branford Police Departments on this case.

With information developed during the investigation, as well as evidence collected from the burglary, Orange investigators were able to obtain search and arrest warrants on Tuesday evening (April 26) for Devin Rutledge, 18, of 420 Eastern St. Apt 3D, New Haven.

Early this morning (April 27) Orange Police investigators met with members of the New Haven and North Branford Police Departments as well as ATF to attempt to serve the warrants.

Acting under the authority of the search warrant to enter the residence to look for Rutledge, the New Haven Police SWAT team, led by Lt Thad Reddish, made entry into the residence at 420 Eastern St., Apt 3D, New Haven. Rutledge was not found to be in the residence at that time.

Officers went out in the area to look for him and at about 8:10 a.m. Officers Hurley and Morrone of the New Haven Police Department located and identified Rutledge in the area of Whalley Ave. near Orchard St., in New Haven and took him into custody on the Orange burglary warrant. He was brought to the Orange Police Department to be charged and processed.

Rutledge was charged with third-degree burglary, three counts of theft of a firearm, fourth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit each of those charges. He is being held on $100,000.00 bond.

Police are continuing to aggressively follow leads in this investigation and additional arrests are expected. At this time no additional firearms have been located.