Carjacking Suspect Arrested With Help Of Troop A-Southbury: PD

MIDDLEBURY, CT — A car-jacking that occurred in New York ended up with the arrest of a Massachusetts man in Connecticut, State Police Troop A in Southbury said in a news release. 'Observant' citizens helped police with making the arrest.

On Aug.22 2018 at 7:40 a.m., Troop A-Southbury was notified by New York law enforcement that a car-jacking had just occurred in New York State. Troop A broadcast the stolen vehicle, a 2011 Nissan Sentra, and suspect information to all troopers in the area, State Police said.

The Nissan had a cell phone in it allowing New York authorities to “ping” the phone and determine that the stolen Nissan and suspect were traveling on I-84 East in Connecticut. At 7:52 a.m., a car matching the stolen vehicle description was seen by a Connecticut State Trooper traveling east on I-84 in the Middlebury area, State Police said. The Nissan exited I-84 at exit 17 in Middlebury and continued north on route 63 into Watertown, State Police said.

Troop A notified Watertown Police Department, and shortly after the Nissan was found abandoned and still running at the intersection of Davis Street and Melrose Avenue in Watertown, State Police said. State Troopers and Watertown police converged on the area and, with the help of observant citizens, located the suspect on Davis Street Extension, State Police said.

Felix Maldonado, 25, of Worcester, MA was taken into custody and transported to Troop A where he was charged with reckless driving, third-degree larceny, driving a motor vehicle without a license and interfering with an officer.

Maldonado was held on $100,000.00 bond and scheduled to appear at Waterbury Superior Court on Aug. 23.
Maldonado was arrested on Connecticut charges only, violations that occurred in New York will be handled by the State of New York.