2 Arrested In Connection To Car Carrier Scam In Greenwich: Police

GREENWICH, CT — Two people were arrested Wednesday in connection to a car carrier scam reported in Greenwich, according to the Greenwich Police Department.

In a news release posted to Facebook, police said detectives became aware of a car carrier scam, also known as a vehicle transporter scam, in Greenwich around 1:30 p.m.

According to police, a car carrier scam is a type of organized vehicle theft that exploits how dealerships ship cars.

"Criminals create fake accounts on vehicle transport platforms, they monitor upcoming shipments and change the delivery location," police wrote in a news release. "Next, they hire a transport company to pick up the car from the dealership and deliver it to the fake address. The vehicle is then stolen once it's delivered to the criminals."

Officers were called to the Byram area of town for surveillance in an attempt to intercept the larceny from occurring, police said.

According to police, when a person arrived in the area around 3 p.m., undercover officers identified themselves in order to make an arrest and tried to stop the person's vehicle.

The vehicle then fled the scene after trying to strike one of the officers, according to police.

A short time later, the vehicle struck a marked patrol vehicle while trying to further evade officers, police said.

The officer in the vehicle sustained minor injuries due to the collision, according to police.

The vehicle then drove off a ledge at the end of the road and became disabled, after which the driver and a passenger exited the vehicle and complied with officers' commands, according to police.

On Wednesday, police said multiple officers responded to the Bryam area of town due to the incident, resulting in a significant police presence, police said.

The driver, identified by police as Derek Ambioris Santana, was charged with conspiracy at first-degree larceny, criminal attempt at first-degree larceny, two counts of criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, assault on a police officer, reckless driving and engaging in police pursuit.

The passenger, identified by police as Isaac Cooke, was charged with conspiracy at first-degree larceny, criminal attempt at first-degree larceny and failure to wear seat belt.

The department's full post can be viewed here.