STATE POLICE MAKE ADDITIONAL ARRESTS IN OIL THEFT CASE

After a detailed investigation which began in July of 2008, State Police Detectives linked several thousand of gallons of stolen diesel fuel to a company based in Thompson, Connecticut.  The type of diesel fuel stolen from the company was later sold as home heating fuel at a price of $2.00 per gallon.  During this period, the general public was paying approximately $4.00 or more per gallon of fuel.  The value of the stolen fuel is estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars. 

In April of 2009, Detectives arrested two individuals responsible for stealing the diesel fuel and another individual responsible for distributing the fuel.

On Wednesday August 19^th, 2009 Detectives assigned to the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad arrested five individuals in connection with receiving stolen fuel and are listed below:

ARRESTED

1.Thomas Rukstela, age 43, of 127 Mason Road, Brooklyn, Connecticut turned himself in at Troop D in Danielson (08/19/09 @ 10:20 am) where he was arrested by warrant for Larceny in the third Degree.  He was processed and released on a $5,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 09/01/09.

2. George Collelo, age 53, of 446 Wauregan Road, Brooklyn, Connecticut turned himself in at Troop D in Danielson (08/19/09 @ 11:15 am) where he was arrested by warrant for Larceny in the third Degree.  He was processed and released on a $5,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 09/02/09.

3. Nathan Collelo, age 29, of 80 Snake Meadow Road, Moosup, Connecticut turned himself in at Troop D in Danielson (08/19/09 @ 12:05 pm) where he was arrested by warrant for Larceny in the third Degree.  He was processed and released on a $5,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 09/01/09.

4. Joseph Zurowski, age 43, of 402 South Street, Brooklyn, Connecticut turned himself in at Troop D in Danielson (08/19/09 @ 12:45 pm) where he was arrested by warrant for Larceny in the third Degree.  He was processed and released on a $5,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 09/03/09.

5. Ryan Barna, age 31, of 128 New Sweden Road, Woodstock, Connecticut turned himself in at Troop D in Danielson (08/19/09 @ 2:10 pm) where he was arrested by warrant for Larceny in the third Degree.  He was processed and released on a $5,000.00 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 09/02/09.

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Tfc Karen O’Connor