West Haven Man Arrested In Wheels/Tires Theft In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — A 23-year-old West Haven man was arrested this week by Westport police in connection with the theft of wheels and tires from vehicles at Honda of Westport last fall, according to authorities.

Darrylle D. Rodriguez, the third suspect arrested in connection with the theft, was charged with second-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny.

The theft was discovered at about 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 4, when a Westport patrol officer saw three new vehicles in the parking lot of the Post Road East dealership with each missing all four tires and rims.

"The vehicles had been left suspended on milk crates by the perpetrators of these thefts," wrote Lt. Anthony Prezioso in a statement. "The total loss due to theft and the associated damage caused was estimated at $15,530.30 by the dealership."

Prezioso said that an extensive follow-up investigation was undertaken by the department’s Detective Bureau, which "included the drafting and execution of multiple search warrants as well as close collaboration with several other law enforcement agencies investigating similar crimes, tire and wheel thefts from car dealerships, perpetrated within their jurisdictions."

This yielded multiple suspects in the Westport incident, including Hamden resident Brandon Sullo and West Haven resident William Higgins, in addition to Rodriguez.

Westport police took Rodriguez into custody on Tuesday when he appeared at Derby Superior Court on an unrelated matter.

Rodriguez was released after posting bond on bail of $75,000, but was immediately turned over to the Stamford Police Department, which also held an active warrant for his arrest, according to Prezioso.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be arraigned on the Westport charges at Stamford Superior Court on July 24.