Wanted Man Arrested At Trumbull Mall In Stolen Car: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — A man with two outstanding arrest warrants was arrested Thursday morning after he was caught entering a stolen car at the Trumbull Mall, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said an officer found a 2019 Chevrolet TRX, which had been reported stolen from Bridgeport on March 6, parked near the mall's food court with the engine running and a passenger inside around 9:30 a.m.

Officers worked together by converging in the area when Hiram Manuel Medero, 28, of New Haven, was seen walking toward the car with two cups of coffee in his hands. As he opened the door, put one foot inside the car and placed his coffee down, officers blocked the vehicle in and arrested Medero, Weir said.

Medero told officers the passenger, who was detained by police during the arrest, had nothing to do with any criminal activity and he had obtained the car from a party known to him, Weir said.

Medero said he drove the car to the mall from New Haven to get coffee and was going to drop the passenger off at work. After further investigation, police determined the passenger was unaware the vehicle was stolen and released her, Weir said.

Medero was charged with second-degree larceny and held on a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month.

Medero also had an active warrant for his arrest for failure to appear charges that was issued by Adult Probation in New Haven for violation of probation and was held on another $25,000 bond.

He also had a second arrest warrant issued by Connecticut State Police Troop H for weapons charges in a correctional facility with an additional $25,000 bond, Weir said.