Overnight Cop Operation Nabs Alleged Serial Car Theives, Burglars: PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — During the early morning hours Tuesday, East Haven Police Investigative Services Division set up surveillance to execute a search and seizure warrant outside a New Britain house, department spokesperson Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

Detective Jon Trinh, who led the investigation, identified a resident living in that house as being responsible for committing numerous burglaries and car thefts throughout Connecticut, along with several other accomplices, according to Murgo.

During that time, investigators saw a Volkswagen Tiguan and other vehicles pull up, with several people getting into the VW and leaving, the police captain said.

Meanwhile, just after 4 a.m., there was a burglary in progress at Carmax on West Frontage Road. Police saw people go onto the property in a gray VW, identified as the Tiguan from New Britain stakeout, according to Murgo.

Murgo said they used a "vehicle on the Carmax property to ram the gate and proceed to steal two vehicles from the lot — a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2018 Chevy Silverado."

"At 5:41 a.m. with officers from many agencies in place conducting surveillance, the stolen Chevy Silverado was observed entering the driveway of 125 Pleasant St. New Britain, at which point three people" were seen getting out of the truck, Murgo said.

Officers moved to arrest the three when they took off running and cops gave chase, grabbing up two men, Murgo said.

Eric Ruiz, 26, of New Britain, and Alex Sierra, 31, of New Britain were caught with a third person getting away. Murgo said Ruiz was in possession of a 9mm Glock handgun which had been reported stolen out of Tampa, Florida in 2021.

Ruiz and Sierra were taken into custody and transported to the East Haven Police Department for processing.

Ruiz was charged with:

• Burglary in the Third Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-103
• Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the Third Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-48/53a-103.
• Criminal Mischief in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-115.
• Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-48/53a-115.
• Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Trover in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-126a.
• Two (2) counts of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-119c.
• Two (2) counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-48/53a-119c.
• Possession of Burglary Tools in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-106
• Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-108
• Interfering with a Police Officer in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-167a
• Carrying a Pistol without a Permit in violation of Connecticut General Statute 29-35(a)(1)
• Theft of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-212,
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-217c.

Ruiz also had several active arrest warrants with a total bond of $300,000 and an arrest warrant out of Newtown Police Department for $20,000. Ruiz is also scheduled to appear in court March 20.

Sierra was charged with:

• Interfering with a Police Officer in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-167a
• Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53a-119c.

Sierra was held on a $100,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court March 20 in New Haven.

"The identity of the third suspect has been confirmed by detectives, "Murgo said, adding "charges will be forthcoming."