Man Arrested In Connection To Naugatuck Auto Part Store Thefts: Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Waterbury man was arrested last week in connection to recent thefts from auto part stores in Naugatuck, according to police.

In a news release posted to Facebook, police said a theft was reported Feb. 22 at Advance Auto Parts, located on Rubber Avenue, around 1 p.m.

According to police, a man in his mid-thirties entered the store and inquired about auto parts for a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. When an employee went to retrieve the items, the man fled the store with $224.94 worth of merchandise.

After further investigation, police discovered a similar incident had occurred at O'Reilly Auto Part, located on Bridge Street, a week prior.

O'Reilly employees provided police with critical information about the same man, who had also attempted to acquire parts for a Honda Ridgeline at their store, according to police. Based on recent history, officers waited near O'Reilly in anticipation of the man's arrival.

A car with two people inside matching the suspect's description drove into the O'Reilly parking lot around 1:30 p.m., police said. The passenger then exited the car and tried to enter the store.

When officers arrived, the driver hastily exited the parking lot, leaving the passenger at the store and narrowly avoiding police cruisers, police said. A video of the incident can be viewed here.

The passenger was identified as John Rodriguez Mendez, 21, of Waterbury. He was arrested on a charge of sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and was scheduled to appear in court last week, according to police.

Police noted the case remains active and anyone with information about the driver is asked to contact Naugatuck police at 203-729-5222 or the department's confidential tip line at 203-720-1010.

"The Naugatuck Police Department commends the collaborative efforts of its officers," police said on Facebook, "and the proactive communication among local auto parts stores that led to a swift resolution of this case."