Early Morning Arrest Made after Rhode Island Car Theft

Westport Police Department

On August 27, 2021, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Westport Police received information that a Honda Odyssey which had been reported stolen from East Providence, RI was currently traveling northbound on I-95 near the Greenwich border. 

A short time later,  a Westport officer observed the Honda driving on I-95 by Exit 17.  The officer signaled for the car to pull over and the operator immediately complied.  The driver was identified as Luiz Benitez.  Mr. Benitez claimed he purchased the car from a friend and was not aware it was stolen.  An officer spoke with an official at the East Providence Police Department who confirmed that the car was in fact stolen from their jurisdiction.

    Mr. Benitez was placed under arrest and charged with Larceny in the Third Degree.  He was held on a $5,000.00 bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court the morning of August 27, 2021, for his arraignment