2 Juveniles Arrested for Suffield Auto Thefts

SUFFIELD, CT — Investigation into a string of recent motor vehicle thefts in Suffield has culminated with the arrests of a pair of juveniles.

Between May 23 and June 3, Suffield police investigated a series of stolen motor vehicles from neighborhoods in town. On June 27, a 16-year-old male was arrested in Hartford, and a 17-year-old male was arrested at Rockville Juvenile Court, Capt. Christopher McKee said.

The 16-year-old was arrested by Hartford Police Auto Theft detectives who were collaborating with Suffield police investigators. This male was observed driving an Audi sedan, stolen from Suffield, in the south end of the capital city. Detectives were able to safely stop the vehicle, arrest this male and recover the stolen Audi, which was later returned to the car owner, McKee said.

After a month-long investigation, Suffield police identified the 17-year-old through extensive partnership with the Manchester Police Department. Both agencies identified that the same juvenile was responsible for car thefts in both jurisdictions, as well as in several other Hartford region towns and cities, McKee said.

A police information sharing meeting was coordinated by the Manchester and Suffield Police Departments on June 14, hosted at the Manchester Police Department to discuss regional trends in recent auto theft. This meeting was attended by approximately 40 local and state police investigators from across the Hartford County area, according to McKee.

On June 27, Suffield police officers went to Rockville Juvenile Court, where the 17-year-old juvenile was appearing for an unrelated court date. He was arrested and charged with first-degree larceny, second-degree criminal mischief and criminal attempt to commit second-degree larceny.

The two remaining vehicles stolen from Suffield were recovered by Suffield police, one in town and the other in Vernon. Contrary to the condition that stolen cars are often recovered in, both vehicles were undamaged and returned to the owners in good condition, McKee said.

As a result of this investigation, additional juvenile suspects have been identified in these offenses, as well as a series of thefts from unlocked cars in Suffield during May 2017. More arrests are anticipated, McKee said.

Photo credit: Suffield Police Department