Markeshia Ricks File Photo
New Haven police have arrested a 46-year-old man and charged him with burglary in the third degree and theft of utility services at the vacant former Salvation Army property located at 301 George St. The arrest happened after investigators found a human torso in another nearby vacant former Salvation Army property at 274 Crown St.
Police spokesman Officer David Hartman reported Friday that the man’s arrest is not directly linked to the case of Ray Roberson, the homeless man linked to severed legs that were discovered near the State Street Station. The man has not been charged with any crimes in relation to the Roberson case.
Acting on information related to the July 15 finding of remains belonging to Roberson, police officers and detectives have been searching the former Salvation Army properties for clues since Wednesday. (Read more about that here.)
Police had received information that Roberson, who was homeless, might have visited or stayed at the vacant building before he went missing. So they searched the premises. During their search Wednesday, which turned up the torso, detectives found the man they then arrested inside the 301 George St. property, which the Salvation Army had vacated in June 2014.
The building surprisingly had electrical service. Roberson’s sister, Sherell Nesmith, told the Independent Roberson had been squatting in a building with a jerry-rigged electricity.
The man arrested was also charged with violating his probation. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.
There have been several people interviewed about the Roberson case, including the man found Wednesday, according to Hartman. The investigation into the human remains cases is ongoing and investigators continue to work to collect and preserve evidence at both the George and Crown Street buildings.
The New Haven Police Department has been working with the Connecticut State Police Troopers and their cadaver dogs, along with state troopers and supervisors from the CSP Major Crimes Division; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department; death investigators from the Office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner; and the staff at the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection – Division of Scientific Services.
Police Friday visited the train tracks off State Street on a report of a suspicious object. It turned out to be a sweatshirt.
Investigators have received helpful tips from the public, including members of the city’s homeless community. Detectives continue to urge people with information that might help them find out what happened to Roberson to contact them at 203 – 946-6304. For those unable to call, people are encouraged to provide information directly to any beat officer. Reports may be made anonymously.