Westport Car Stolen by Juveniles as Owner Pumped Gas; Ends in Police Car Stolen, Ramming Into Officers (Video)
Just after 9:00 AM this morning, a woman who was pumping gas at the Exxon station at 1510 Post Road East, Westport, had her vehicle stolen by a man who quickly jumped into the front seat and drove away. The car was found in West Haven later-on, occupied by two men. While West Haven police attempted to apprehend the suspects, one of the juveniles escaped police, stole one of the nearby police cars, hit several police officers, and fled the scene until the vehicle was disabled a short time later. The graphic video can be seen below.
From the Westport Police Department:
On January 6, 2021 at approximately 9:04 am the operator of a BMW stopped to get gas at the Exxon gas station located at 1510 Post Road East in Westport. As the operator was pumping her gas, a male got into the driver’s seat of the running BMW and proceeded to drive away in the car at a high rate of speed. Fortunately, the owner of the BMW did not sustain any injuries.
The investigating officer, was able to work with BMW to track the vehicle using GPS technology and the car was reported to be in the greater New Haven area. This information was relayed to area police departments and the car was ultimately located in West Haven, CT. The West Haven Police attempted to pull the car over and it finally came to a stop after striking several vehicles in heavy traffic.
At this point, there were two occupants in the BMW. As one was being taken into custody, the second suspect entered a West Haven Police patrol car and drove the cruiser in reverse striking several officers. The cruiser became disabled after being driven thru a nearby cemetery and the second suspect was apprehended without further incident. It was determined that both individuals who were arrested are juveniles. The officers who were struck did not sustain any
serious injuries.
While maybe not necessary in the past, this incident tells us that we should be securing our vehicles even when stepping away for a moment or two.
Graphic footage can be seen here
Two Federally Charged After FBI, Westport PD, State PD Investigates Westport & Surrounding Area Car Thefts
According to the U.S. Department of Justice:
“John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that on December 22, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER MULKERN, also known as “Chucky,” 21, and EDWIN CORDERO, 20, both of Stratford, with federal car theft offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, Connecticut State Police and local police are investigating multiple car theft rings in Connecticut. Mulkern, Cordero and others have stolen numerous motor vehicles, and used the stolen vehicles to travel throughout Connecticut and to neighboring states to steal other vehicles and the valuables inside, including credit cards, cellular telephones, and firearms. Mulkern and Cordero typically frequented upper middleclass neighborhoods to go “car-checking” or “jigging,” which involves an attempt to open the door of a motor vehicle and, if successful, steal the vehicle and/or valuables inside.
It is alleged that, on December 1, 2020, Mulkern and Cordero stole a Porsche Panamera from a residence in Westport, Connecticut. Shortly after midnight on December 2, law enforcement in Westerly, Rhode Island, identified the stolen Porsche and attempted to stop the car. The Porsche drove recklessly, at speeds of at least 86 mph, between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and evaded police who, for safety reasons, were forced to terminate pursuit.
It is further alleged that, at approximately 4 a.m. on December 2, Mulkern, Cordero and others used the stolen Porsche to steal a Dodge Challenger from a residence in Milford, Connecticut. In the evening of December 2, Stratford Police spotted and attempted to stop the Porsche. During the pursuit, the Porsche rammed a car stopped at a red light at an intersection, drove up on the sidewalk and through the red light, and then struck a second vehicle, causing the second vehicle to flip onto its roof. The damaged Porsche then traveled on I-95 into Bridgeport, where Mulkern and Cordero were apprehended as they attempted to enter another stolen Audi A4 that was parked on Gregory Street.
It is alleged that a search of the stolen Audi revealed approximately 13 key fobs for other vehicles, and a search of the Porsche revealed five cellphones. In addition, Mulkern possessed two stolen credit cards, and Cordero possessed a key fob for the stolen Dodge, which was subsequently located parked on Main Street in Bridgeport.
Mulkern has been detained since December 2. Cordero, who was released after his state arrest, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 15 and is currently released on a $30,000 bond. Mulkern and Cordero are scheduled for arraignment on January 6 at 1 p.m. via videoconference.
The indictment charges Mulkern and Cordero with one count of transportation of a stolen vehicle and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. Both charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police and the Stratford, Milford, Stonington, Westport, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and Westerly (R.I.) Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.”
$200,000 Bond Set for Man Arrested for Westport Bicycle Thefts
According to the Westport Police Department:
During the late Spring and early Summer of this year, the Westport Police Department investigated a number of burglaries and larcenies that occurred within the town. In many of these cases, high end bicycles were stolen from either open or unsecured garages. Through an extensive investigation conducted by the detective bureau that included the execution of search warrants as well as working in cooperation with area departments, a suspect was developed. That suspect was identified as Jose Velazquez. Based upon the results of the investigation, several arrest warrants were subsequently sought and granted for Mr. Velazquez.
On December 21, 2020 Mr. Velazquez was arrested at Stamford Superior Court in connection with the active warrants related to this case. Per these warrants, he was charged with three counts of 53a – 101 Burglary in the First Degree; three counts of 53a – 102 Burglary in the Second Degree; 53a – 122 Larceny in the First Degree; two counts of 53a – 124 Larceny in the Third Degree; 53a – 125 Larceny in the Fourth Degree; 53a – 125a Larceny in the Fifth Degree; two counts of 53a – 125b Larceny in the Sixth Degree; and 53a – 115 Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. Bond was set at $200,000.00. Mr. Velazquez was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on December 21, 2021.
One Arrested after November High Speed Car Accident
One of the three vehicles involved in the car accident on Post Road West. This vehicle was occupied by an innocent citizen on their way home from work.
According to the Westport Police Department, an arrest has been made for the driver responsible for a violent car accident on the evening November 14th, which caused two vehicles to roll on their sides and the operator’s vehicle to sustain heavy damage on Post Road West, in front of Via Sforza restaurant. The accident left a debris field spanning several hundred feet and closed Post Road West for several hours. Multiple ambulances were dispatched to the scene, which had reported injuries, as well as fire and police apparatus. An investigation by the Westport Police Department lead officers to Fernando Ramirez, whose arrest report follows:
“On November 14, 2020 at approximately 7:29 p.m., officers responded to the area of 233 Post Road West on a report of a three-car motor vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival, it was determined that a car turning right from the driveway of a local business was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Post Road West. The impact caused one of the cars to cross into the westbound lanes where it was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound. All three vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene.
The operator of the vehicle that was traveling eastbound was identified as Fernando Ramirez, and he was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The officer investigating the accident, interviewed the parties involved as well as an independent witness. From the information gathered, the officer had cause to believe that Mr. Ramirez was driving recklessly and at excessive speeds. Based upon the results of the investigation, an arrest warrant was subsequently sought and granted for Mr. Ramirez.
On the morning of December 21, 2020, Mr. Ramirez turned himself in at the Westport Police Department in connection with this active warrant. Per the warrant, he was charged 14-222 Reckless Driving and 53a-63 Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. Mr. Ramirez was released after posting a $500 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Norwalk Superior Court on the morning of Monday January 25, 2021.” (Westport Police Department)