#Westport CT–On 09/13/2018 at approximately 1:45 am, an officer observed a vehicle slowly leaving the area of a car dealership lot without its headlights on. The officer attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on Post Road East, but the operator disobeyed the officer’s signal and led the officer on a brief pursuit, which was terminated due to excessive speed. A short while later another officer located two males walking eastbound on Post Road West near where the pursuit had been terminated. They appeared sweaty and disheveled and could not explain their presence in the area. A third officer located the suspect vehicle nearby. A K-9 track led from the suspect vehicle to the location of the two males. The suspects were identified as Brandon Rivera, 21, and Luis Santiago, 20, both of Bronx, NY.

The dealership was checked and officers learned four tires were stolen from a vehicle in the lot. The suspect vehicle contained four new tires and rims valued at approximately $2,400. The vehicle also bore a Texas registration plate instead of a Massachusetts plate, which was assigned to the vehicle. Rivera and Santiago were taken into custody and transported to police headquarters.

Santiago was charged with 53a- 124 Larceny 3 rd from a Motor Vehicle, 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 3 rd ) and 53a-109 Criminal Trespass 3 rd . He was held in lieu of $5,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Superior Court later that morning for arraignment. Rivera was identified as the operator of the suspect vehicle. He was charged with 53a- 124 Larceny 3 rd from a Motor Vehicle, 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 3 rd ), 53a-109 Criminal Trespass 3 rd , 14-147(c) Misuse of Plates and 14-223(b) Disobeying the Signal of an Officer: Elude/Attempt Escape.

Rivera was held in lieu of $3,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Court later that morning for arraignment.

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