Haidar “Harry” Abushaqra called his home in Ellington at about 8 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2011, to let his wife and six children know he would be home in 20 minutes. They had no reason to doubt him.

Abushaqra, 41, had stopped by the nondescript used car lot building he owned and previously operated in Manchester to pick up a $7,000 rent payment from two mechanics who were working there.