Fairfield Cops Nab 5 For Allegedly Stealing Car Parts

[Editor's Note: Arrest information is supplied by the Fairfield Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.]

One man walking along Marlborough Terrace with a Sawzall in one hand and a catalytic converter in the other was all it took for police to make five arrests just outside of in connection to stolen catalytic converters.

The sergeant on patrol noticed the first man, who came to be identified as John Alvarez of Bridgeport, had fresh dirt on his back as if he had recently lain on the ground, department spokesperson Sgt. Sue Lussier said.

Police detained a second person -- Elvis Perez of Bridgeport – who was also walking along Marlborough Terrace and told police he was walking back to his house, Lussier said.

Police searched the area and found that several converters had been sawed out of Jeeps and discovered a flashlight, a bic lighter, and several more saws in the proximity of Scap, Lussier said.

The responding officers came upon a Toyota Camry with three occupants who ducked when they saw police coming. The three were arrested as well, and all were transported to police headquarters, Lussier said. One of the arrestees, Jose Valentin, allegedly attempted to hide two grams of cocaine in the back of the police car and the ride to headquarters, according to the report.

All five men were held on $10,000 bonds and issued court dates for today. Arrested were:

• Felix Rosario, 40, Bunnell Street, Bridgeport: Rosario was charged with manufacturing and possession of burglar’s tools, sixth-degree larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny in the sixth degree.
• Jose Valentin, 34, Hanover Street, Bridgeport: Valentin was charged with possession of narcotics, manufacturing and possessing burglar’s tools, sixth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit six-degree larceny, tampering with evidence, and interfering with an officer.
• John Alvarez, 23, Hanover Street, Bridgeport: Alvarez was charged with manufacturing and possession of burglar’s tools, criminal trespass in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, tampering with a motor vehicle without permission, larceny in the sixth degree, and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny.
• Angelo Ortiz, 44, Cole Street, Bridgeport: Ortiz was charged with manufacturing and possessing burglar’s tools, larceny in the sixth degree, and conspiracy to commit larceny in the sixth degree.
• Elvis Perez, 29, Hanover Street, Bridgeport: Perez was charged with manufacturing and possessing burglar tools, third-degree criminal trespass, second-degree criminal mischief, tampering with a motor vehicle without permission, sixth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny, criminal impersonation, and interfering with an officer after he initially gave police a false name.

The total number of catalytic converters stolen was unavailable at the time of this report, but they are each worth approximately $800, Lussier said.

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A Lalley Boulevard resident woke up Tuesday to two thefts right outside of his home, police said.

He had two cars parked on the street in front of him home -- one locked, one unlocked, according to the police. Someone entered the unlocked vehicle, where a set of the man’s keys were -- and the thief used those keys to steal the locked, gray 2006 Toyota Sequoia SUV, Lussier said.

Police are looking for the stolen vehicle, which is currently decorated with a red nose on the front and two antlers on either side of the car.

This is under investigation.

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Another Lalley Boulevard resident reported on Tuesday that sometime overnight that his Toyota SUV and Oldsmobile had been entered -- both were parked on the street and unlocked, police said.

Two pairs of binoculars and sunglasses were taken from the Toyota, Lussier said. This is under investigation.

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A Roseville Terrace resident returned home on Tuesday and noticed lights she had turned off in an upstairs bedroom were on, police said.

Several jewelry boxes in the bedroom were out and open, police said. They determined the suspect entered the house via the kitchen door, which was ajar and marked by pry marks, Lussier said.

Missing from the jewelry boxes were a gold necklace with opal gemstones, an emerald necklace and bracelet, and pendants, Lussier said.

Police canvassed the neighborhood and spoke with a neighbor who said she had seen a green Ford Taurus station wagon drive by the house, and noticed a man in a black shirt and white pants look through the front window and walk around to the back of the house, Lussier.

The neighbor added the Ford Taurus in question only has one working taillight. This is under investigation.

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A Barry Scott Drive resident reported on Tuesday that two laptops were taken from his home, police said.

The home was entered through an unlocked garage door, Lussier said. A laptop was taken from the kitchen and an older laptop from an upstairs room, according to the police report.

This is under investigation.

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