Wilton Police Investigate Plow Theft, DUI, and Employee Embezzlement Cases

WILTON, CT — A series of recent investigations by Wilton Police have resulted in multiple charges ranging from motor vehicle theft to embezzlement and impaired driving.

Former Dealership Employee Charged in Embezzlement Case

Police announced charges stemming from an investigation into reported thefts at Devan Chevrolet on Danbury Road. On April 22, officers responded to a complaint of possible theft from a payment machine by a now-former employee. A joint investigation by the patrol and detective divisions identified the suspect as Esteban Naranjo, 40, of Stamford.

Police said Naranjo had been stealing from the dealership since March 2024. A warrant was issued on Aug. 29 with a court-set bond of $100,000. On Sept. 3, Naranjo turned himself in at Wilton Police Headquarters.

He was charged with first- and third-degree larceny, illegal use of a revoked payment card, third-degree forgery, and first- and second-degree computer crimes. Naranjo was unable to post bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment the same day.

Snow Plow Theft Linked to Westport Man

On Feb. 12, a local business on Danbury Road contacted Wilton Police to report a missing snow plow. Investigators reviewed area surveillance footage and, with assistance from other police departments, identified Robert Pekar, 38, of Westport as a suspect.

Authorities applied for a warrant at Stamford Superior Court, which was approved with a $25,000 bond. On Sept. 4, while Pekar was at Stamford Superior Court on an unrelated matter, judicial marshals assisted Wilton Police in executing the warrant. He was charged with third-degree larceny and use of a motor vehicle without permission. Pekar was processed and arraigned the same day in Stamford.

DUI Stop on Danbury Road

On Sept. 5 at approximately 9:40 p.m., Wilton officers stopped a gray Kia SUV traveling southbound on Danbury Road after observing it straddling lane markings without signaling and brushing against the curb. The vehicle then swayed back across the roadway.

The driver, identified as Rafael Samaniego, 64, of Norwalk, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and unable to operate the vehicle safely. He was transported to police headquarters and submitted to chemical testing, which showed blood alcohol levels of 0.0405 and 0.0375.

Samaniego was charged with operating under the influence and failure to maintain proper lane control. He was released on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Sept. 15.