Car Burglary Investigation Leads To 3 Arrests: Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Police Department on Tuesday announced the arrests of three people who are accused of burglarizing cars around town.

Andres Camilo Aldana, 18, and Manuel Ruiz, 43, both of Queens, N.Y., and Andrea Chirivi Sarmiento, 43, whose address is unknown, were arrested on April 22 and held on $100,000 bonds, police said.

On Monday at approximately 4:28 p.m., Darien police officers were dispatched to the Whole Foods on Ledge Road on a report of a possible car burglary in progress. Officers were told that a man, who had exited a black SUV, was trying to open car doors in the parking lot, police said.

A man fitting the description was later identified as Aldana, police said, noting that he gave officers a false name and denied any involvement, according to police.

The driver of the black SUV was identified as Sarmiento, who also gave police a fake name and denied any knowledge of the activity, police said.

The two were detained for further investigation, and a search of the SUV found "multiple stolen items," police said.

"Further, officers located stolen proceeds from two earlier motor vehicle burglaries that had occurred at Trader Joe’s (436 Post Road, Darien) and Aux Delices (25 Old Kings Highway North, Darien). Aldana and Sarmiento were subsequently arrested on scene and transported to Darien Police Headquarters," police said in a news release.

During the booking process, officers received information about a third person in the downtown Darien area who was possibly involved, police said.

Officers responded downtown and detained a man matching the description given; he was later identified as Ruiz, police said

"Officers confirmed that Ruiz was involved in the motor vehicle burglary activity and he was subsequently arrested and transported to Darien Police Headquarters," police said.

"Through investigative efforts, because of timely notification by witnesses and prompt response by Darien Police personnel, it was determined that Aldana, Sarmiento and Ruiz were involved in multiple incidents of motor vehicle burglary and criminal activity," police said, adding that the three arrestees have "criminal histories."

During the fingerprint process, police learned Aldana and Sarmiento's real names.

The arrestees did not post their bonds and were taken to Stamford Superior Court on April 23.

The charges for each are as follows, according to police:

Aldana

• Third-degree burglary, two counts
• Second-degree larceny, two counts
• Conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny
• Interfering with an officer

Ruiz

• Third-degree burglary
• Conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary
• Possession of burglar tools
• Second-degree larceny

Sarmiento

• Interfering with an officer
• Falsifying license/marker plate
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license
• Second-degree burglary, two counts
• Conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
• Third-degree larceny