Police: Armed car thieves from New Jersey apprehended in Greenwich

GREENWICH — Officers apprehended a crew of suspected car thieves from New Jersey who were allegedly attempting to steal vehicles in Greenwich early Wednesday, police said.

Aretired Greenwich police officer who was working a private security shift in a gated community saw suspicious activity at 1 a.m. Wednesday, police said. The suspects were allegedly entering driveways in the neighborhood, according to police.

Officers responded to the area and located a 2014 Dodge Challenger occupied by two adults and three juveniles that was parked on private property, according to a police statement.

The vehicle was detained and searched, police said. Two handguns with highcapacity magazines and ammunition were found, police said Wednesday, along with narcotics and marijuana. The guns were determined to have been stolen, and their serial numbers scratched off, police said.

Isiah J. Clinton, 23, of Newark, N. J., was the driver, police said. He was charged with larceny, criminal attempt at burglary, criminal trespass, conspiracy, illegal possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, risk of injury to a minor and illegal alteration of a firearm. He was also cited with drug charges. His bail was set at $ 150,000.

Altariq Williams, 40, of Newark, was charged with criminal attempt at burglary, criminal trespass, conspiracy, risk of injury to a minor and drug charges, police said. Bail was set at $ 75,000.

The three juveniles — two 15-year-olds and a 16year-old from New Jersey — were referred to state Superior Court in Stamford on charges of attempt at burglary and conspiracy, police said.

Police have recorded well over 100 car thefts this year in Greenwich.

“On an almost daily occurrence, the midnight officers disrupt this criminal activity. The officers on duty have been successful in arresting some of the criminal actors,” police said in a statement. “On other occasions the thieves leave the Town of Greenwich after the officers interrupt their activity. The officer’s duty is made more difficult when residents do not properly secure their property.”

Police again reminded vehicle owners to lock their cars and remove the ignition devices “to slow the influx of these criminals from our community.”