Man Apologizes, Waits to be Arrested Following Theft

It’s not everyday that a man will turn himself in after committing a theft but when confronted about a missing television at the Holiday Inn last week, police said a Plainville resident did just that.

Officers took Roberto Ettorre, of 32 Roseleah Ave. in Plainville, into custody Friday on charges of third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools and sixth-degree larceny in connection with a television theft at the .

Ettorre, 39, was released after posting a $2,500 bond over the weekend and is due in Bristol Superior Court for arraignment next week.

Police said Ettorre was apologetic and admitted to having taken a television from one of the hotel rooms, giving it back to a manager before the manager even had an opportunity to call police. Ettorre does not have a previous criminal record.

Sgt. Lowell DePalma said that on Dec. 16, a member of the housekeeping staff entered room 302 after a customer checked out and discovered the flat screen television valued at  $350 missing from the room.

“The staff member then ran into the hallway and found Ettorre in the stairwell,” DePalma said. “The housekeeping staff member confronted Ettorre, who admitted he had taken the television and agreed to go with the staff member to the lobby to see the manager.”

A police report said after the two got to the lobby, Ettorre willingly took a seat and waited for the manager to arrive and then took him to his car to give the television back. He pleaded with the manager not to call police, but the manager told him there was no other option and Ettorre sat and waited for police to arrive.

According to the police report, Ettore had stayed at the hotel several times in the past year including earlier last week in room 350. In September, he had become friends with another frequent visitor and while with the visitor earlier in the week at the hotel, Ettorre stole a room key card from him.

When the visitor left on Friday, police said Ettorre went back and took the television.

“He waited, he was apologetic. It seemed he had some guilt over what he had done,” DePalma said.