For the Love of Fruit! Police Searching for Man Who Trashed Gas Station for Banana

By Ronald DeRosa 

One man could soon be facing charges after apparently deciding he needed a little more potassium in his diet — and proceeding to break in to a gas station to get his fix. 

Police in Newington are searching for a man who they said broke into a Citgo gas station early Wednesday morning, backing his vehicle into the entrance several times before entering.

But, after getting inside the store, the only thing he took was a piece of fruit that he ate on scene before leaving.

According to a press release, officers responded to the gas station at 502 Cedar Street in Newington, also known as Route 175, at 1:48 a.m. for a report of an active burglary alarm.

When police got there, they found extensive damage to the north entry of the store, apparently caused by a motor vehicle. No suspects were at the scene.

Then, when police reviewed surveillance video, they discovered that a light-colored Ford Freestyle station wagon with Connecticut plates backed into the store entrance door several times to create an opening in the glass. 

The suspect, who wasn't wearing a mask to conceal his identity, then came inside the gas station, picked a banana from the shelf, peeled it, and ate it, police said in the press release.

He didn't take anything else. After exiting the store he fled the scene in the Ford station wagon. Police said the vehicle incurred damage to the driver side rear bumper and tail light.

Police provided the media the surveillance photos. The only description they gave of the suspect was that he was a black male wearing a dark jacket, dark pants, and a brown hat.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encourage to contact the Newington Police Department at (860) 666-8445.