Crime & Safety

Police Nab Man for Greenwich Car Parts Thefts [Updated]



Update: 6 p.m., June 20, 2013:

Greenwich Police have obtained arrest warrants for several more suspects in the series of car part thefts that have plagued the owners of cars parked in indoor parking garages for months.

Police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray said that using "several investigative tools including video and networking," detectives have been able to identify a number of suspects wanted for the series of thefts. He said police have obtained arrest warrants for the suspects.

In most instances, thieves gain access to underground or indoor parking garages and steal tires and wheels, and other car parts from popular high-end vehicles, leaving vehicles propped up on blocks, paint cans or ice coolers. 

Police arrested the first suspect, Peter E. Vasquez of The Bronx, NY, when he surrendered at police headquarters June 18.

Original story: 5:57 p.m., June 19, 2013.

Greenwich Police say they caught one of several suspects wanted for the break-in of a luxury waterfront apartment complex parking garage where car parts were stolen from high-end cars.

According to a police report, the suspect is accused of forcing his way into the underground garage of the Indian Harbor House apartment complex at 630 - 636 Steamboat Rd. in central Greenwich last Dec. 12. Police found an Infiniti had a broken front passenger window and tool marks that damaged the window. One lug nut was missing from each of the Infiniti wheels.

All four tires were stolen from a Mercedes CL63 also parked in the garage. Another Mercedes had been entered and a bag containing about $25 in change was reported missing, according to the report.

On June 18, police arrested Peter E. Vasquez, 20, of the Bronx, NY, on charges of first-degree larceny, second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and scheduled to appear June 19 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Police said their investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.

The Indian Harbor House garage break-in is one of several reported during the past year in Greenwich. Previous thefts of car parts—including tires and wheels, bumpers and assorted items inside cars—have been reported at apartment and condominium complex parking garages, and a car dealership in central Greenwich and Old Greenwich.


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