$2 million bond for man accused of killing UPS worker

WATERBURY — The man suspected of killing a United Parcel Service employee in Watertown is being held in lieu of a $2 million bond after appearing in court Thursday.

Elijah Bertrand, 19, was arrested by Plymouth police Wednesday and charged with murder in the death of 28-year-old Nathan D. Burk, of Waterbury.

A staffer with the Waterbury Judicial District clerk’s office said Bertrand’s bond was maintained at $2 million Thursday. He remained in custody, she said, and the case was continued to Jan. 6.

On Wednesday morning, state police Trooper Josue Dorelus reported that Bertrand “is employed with UPS.” He said the exact capacity of Bertrand’s employment is not yet clear.

Detectives are still working to figure out a possible motive, Dorelus said. He said preliminary information indicates that the two were working together at the time of the incident.

“We do know that the suspect and the victim are known to each other,” Dorelus said. “The extent of their relationship is unknown at this point.”

Troopers from the Litchfield barracks at Troop L were dispatched to the area of Route 8 north near Exit 37 for an initial report of a crash involving a UPS shipping truck Tuesday, according to Connecticut State Police.

Arriving troopers found that the driver of the truck had been assaulted.

Burk was found suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to a police report obtained by NBC Connecticut. A folding knife with blood on it, which Bertrand’s father said was Bertrand’s, was found at the scene, the document reportedly states.