Man Accused Of Stealing Cars From Darien Homes: Police

DARIEN, CT — A Bridgeport man is accused of stealing cars from Darien homes and using stolen credit cards to make purchases, according to police.

Raymond Nathaniel Mercado, 23, faces several charges including third-degree burglary, larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree identity theft and payment card theft.

On July 5, Darien police responded to a report of a car theft at a home on Holly Lane. A resident there reported that his white Tesla Model 3 was stolen along with his wallet and several credit cards, police said.

The car was later found unoccupied at another home on Holly Lane, police said, where another person reported their Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen.

Surveillance footage from Ring and Nest cameras showed three suspects involved in the thefts "with detailed descriptions of their appearances and actions."

Fraudulent charges on the victim's stolen credit card were discovered in Bridgeport where surveillance footage identified one of the men as Mercado, police added.

"Further connections were made between Mercado and two associates... who were arrested in connection with the Jeep theft," police said. "Digital forensic analysis of Mercado's cell phone corroborated his involvement in the crimes, leading to a comprehensive investigation linking him to multiple thefts and fraudulent activities in the area."

Mercado was unable to post bond due to his current detention status, police said.