Newington Man, 21, Charged in Southington Crime Spree: Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A young Newington man was charged by Southington police this week for his role in a nearly year-long crime spree involving vehicle and vehicle parts thefts as well as commercial burglaries.

The Southington Police Department Thursday said Ethan Angel Nieves, 21, of Crown Ridge, Newington, was charged with first-degree larceny; three counts of third-degree larceny; two counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny; third-degree burglary; conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary; two counts of first-degree criminal mischief; conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief; second-degree criminal mischief; conspiracy to commit second-degree criminal mischief; and use of a motor vehicle without permission.

Police said the charges were handed down to Nieves on Monday, April 29, while he was appearing in New Britain Superior Court in connection with similar charges with other police agencies.

He was released after posting $85,000 bond, police said.

Southington police said Nieves was the subject of a nine-month probe that resulted in his charges on Monday.

Police said Nieves had been using a 2023 Honda Odyssey, which was stolen from Farmington, since March 2023 to commit a variety of crimes in Southington and other towns.

Those crimes, police said, included catalytic converter thefts, wheel thefts, ATV thefts, and commercial burglaries.

Southington police began working with other law enforcement agencies following multiple reports of catalytic converter and wheel thefts in Southington, the SPD said.

Police said Nieves "was believed to be a ringleader organizing much of the statewide criminal activity."

On March 12, Southington police and other departments executed search warrants at Nieves' residence, where he was one of three suspects seen going into the residence in a stolen vehicle.

Southington police said several agencies have charged Nieves for a variety of similar crimes, with more charges expected against Nieves.