2 Charged With Stealing Tires, Rims From Dealership: Westport PD

WESTPORT, CT — Police said two New York men were arrested last week after they were allegedly seen leaving the area of a Westport car dealership early Thursday morning in a vehicle without its headlights on. The suspects were observed by police at approximately 1:45 a.m.

According to a news release, police said an officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Post Road East, but the driver disobeyed and led the officer on a brief pursuit, which was terminated due to excessive speed.

A short while later, another officer located two men walking on Post Road West near where the pursuit had been terminated. Police said they appeared sweaty and disheveled, and they could not explain their presence in the area.

Police said a third officer located the vehicle nearby, and a subsequent K-9 track led from the vehicle to the location of the two men, who were identified as Brandon Rivera, 21, and Luis Santiago, 20, both of Bronx, N.Y.

According to police, the dealership was checked and officers learned four tires were stolen from a vehicle in the lot. Police said the suspect vehicle contained four new tires and rims valued at approximately $2,400.

Police said the vehicle also bore a Texas registration plate instead of a Massachusetts plate, which was
assigned to the vehicle.

Police said Santiago was charged with larceny from a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny and criminal trespass. Rivera was identified as the driver of the vehicle and charged with larceny from a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny, criminal trespass, misuse of plates and disobeying the signal of
an officer: elude/attempt escape.

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