Restaurant Burglar Nabbed After Hungry Customers Called Police

In Monday's 95-degree heat, Russell Kazmierczak kept a straight face as he told police an ice-cold bottle of wine was left on a sidewalk before he picked it up.

The 55-year-old Greenwich man was stopped by officers at 1 p.m., after police received a call about a burglary-in-progress at Pasquale Ristorante on 2 Putnam Avenue. When officers arrived, they spotted Kazmierczak -- who fit the description of the burglar -- walking away from the restaurant's parking lot with a bottle of white Zeveri wine poking out of a bag he was carrying.

Noticing the condensation on the still-cold bottle, the officer asked Kazmierczak if he realized how hot it was that afternoon.

The burglary was foiled when a group of women drove into the parking lot of the restaurant, not realizing it wasn't open yet, Lt. James Ladeairous said. They saw Kazmierczak near a back corner of the restaurant, and dialed police when they realized something wasn't right.

Police checked the building and found an open window with a missing screen. Outside the window was a case of beer and several bottles of wine, all cold. Ladeairous said Kazmierczak had a pair of pliers and two knives on him, in addition to the wine he was carrying in his bag.

Kazmierczak was charged with felony third-degree burglary, as well as misdemeanor possession of burglar's tools and criminal possession of stolen property.