Man arrested for theft of several guns, money from Newington gun store

NEWINGTON, CT (WFSB) - Police arrested a man accused of stealing several guns and money from a gun store in Newington on May 27.

Newington police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Kwitzpatrick Duffany of Willimantic.

Duffany was charged with 38 counts of theft of a firearm, first-degree larceny, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of ammunition.

An employee of Hoffman Gun Center at 2686 Berlin Tpke. reported the burglary to police around 7:40 a.m. on May 28.

Following an initial investigation, police believed that the suspect may have been in the store.

The Newington Police Department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called to the scene. The ERT entered the store and determined the suspect left before they arrived.

A Channel 3 news crew on scene reported there was a massive police presence at the business. Officers were seen stationed on top of a Newington Fire Department’s ladder.

Police said several guns and currency was stolen during the burglary.

Duffany was arrested at New Britain Superior Court on Thursday, where he faced a judge for a different case.

He was held on a $250,000 court-set bond pending his arraignment for the burglary.

The incident was not the first time guns were stolen from Hoffman Gun Center.

Back in Sept. 2021, investigators said 28-year-old Troy Harris drove into the store and stole several guns.

He has a court date scheduled for this summer.

The store will be closed throughout the holiday weekend and plans to reopen on Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newington police.

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