Police: CT farm worker beaten

ORANGE — A worker at Field View Farm on Derby Avenue who may have interrupted catalytic converter thieves was pistol whipped and robbed while trying to milk cows early Saturday, Assistant Police Chief Max Martins said.

The beating and robbery likely occurred because the worker interrupted the thieves who left behind a battery-operated Sawsall at the scene, Martins said.

“It’s a trend we’re seeing across the state and across the country,” Martins said. “When a theft of a catalytic converter is interrupted, the thieves have shown they are willing to pull out a gun or beat you.”

The man, who works for the farm and lives on the property, stepped outside around 4 a.m .to milk the cows but was confronted by two men wearing face coverings, police said. One of the men was armed with a black handgun, which he used to strike the victim repeatedly, police said.

The men demanded money from the victim and stole his wallet, Martins said. They then fled the farm, but left behind the battery-operated saw used to cut catalytic converters off cars and some other evidence, which is now being analyzed, Martins said. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises and has returned to work, Martins said.

“What we are seeing is that the thieves are migrating from commercial areas to more residential areas,” Martins said.

A state law that went into effect in July 2022 that prohibits scrap dealers from receiving detached catalytic converters has not reduced thefts, Martins said. “It’s had zero effect,” he said. “We aren’t seeing a measurable decrease in the number of thefts.”

Anyone with information about the incident can call 203-891-2138; ask for Officer Correia or Detective Ahern.