East Hampton Police Arrest Suspect in Two Burglaries

The East Hampton Police Department arrested Kendrick B. Jackson, 43, on Saturday for his involvement in the burglary and attempted theft of copper plumbing materials from a home at 1 Young St., East Hampton.

According to police, the incident began when Robert Baer Jr. of 108 Middletown Ave., East Hampton, was driving by the property at 1 Young St. in East Hampton and noticed an unknown vehicle parked next to the house there. The property is owned by Baer’s family and is currently unoccupied. This prompted Baer to stop and investigate and upon doing so he confronted Jackson who was actively ripping out copper plumbing from the basement. Baer briefly questioned Jackson and once he determined that a theft was occurring, Baer called the police. Jackson came towards Baer with a pair of 2’ bolt cutters in a threatening manner and then fled the area in his vehicle. Baer gave chase as Jackson drove away at a high rate of speed on Route 16 heading westbound.

Officers Hardie Burgin and Michael Salafia were dispatched and attempted to locate Jackson, police said. Robert Baer was updating the East Hampton Police dispatchers with his location as he followed Jackson. Baer had to stop following Jackson because Jackson was driving recklessly during his high speed flight and was passing cars in no passing zones, etc. Baer lost visual contact with Jackson somewhere near the intersection of Long Hill Road and Route 151.

Officers Salafia and Burgin began aggressively searching Route 151 and Route 66 and a short time later, Officer Burgin found Jackson traveling westbound on Route 66 just into Portland in the area between Axelrod Tire and the Riverdale Motel. Officer Burgin was able to stop the vehicle and singlehandedly apprehended Jackson at gunpoint on Route 66.

A subsequent search of Jackson’s vehicle found the bolt cutters that he had been using as well as a stash of copper tubing and tools which were seized as evidence, according to police. Some of the items that were found in Jackson’s vehicle were positively identified as items that were stolen during a burglary of a residence at 1288 Portland-Cobalt Road in Portland. That burglary was reported to Portland Police on April 28. In that burglary, copper plumbing materials, tools, and other household items were stolen after entry had been forced through a basement window. 

Jackson was charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, sixth-degree larceny, third-degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and operating a motor vehicle while under suspension. He was held on a $150,000 bond and will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on Monday. More charges will be forthcoming from the Portland Police for Jackson’s involvement in the burglary at 1288 Portland-Cobalt Road.

Jackson has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1989 including many felony convictions for first-, second- and third-degree burglar; multiple larcenies; third-degree robbery, threatening and multiple failures to appear in court. He has served several years in the Connecticut Correctional Facilities as a result.