Police: Car thieves arrested after ramming stolen vehicle through dealership’s gate

EAST HAVEN — Police arrested two people they said were part of a group that rammed a car through the gate of a local CarMax dealership and stole two cars early Tuesday.

Eric Ruiz, 26, and Alex Sierra, 31, both of New Britain, were each charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and interfering with a police officer. East Haven police said both were caught after fleeing from one of the stolen vehicles taken from the dealership.

Police also said they found a stolen gun on Ruiz, who is also facing a litany of other charges.

The incident began with detectives already conducting surveillance of an apartment on Pleasant Street in New Britain. Investigators believed a resident there was connected with “numerous burglaries,” East Haven Police Capt. Joseph Murgo said.

While police were watching the home, they spotted a Volkswagen Tiguan pull up with several other vehicles, Murgo said. People piled into the Volkswagen, which then left, he said.

Around 4:10 a.m., police in East Haven were then called to the CarMax dealership on West Frontage Road in East Haven where a burglary was reported to be in progress.

“Upon officers’ arrival, it was determined that several individuals entered the CarMax property in a grey Volkswagen SUV, later determined to be a Tiguan, and utilized a vehicle on the property to ram the gate,” Murgo said.

The thieves made off with two cars from the lot — a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Murgo said.

Around 5:40 a.m., the stolen Silverado pulled into the driveway of the Pleasant Street home in New Britain, as police from “several different agencies” were watching the property, Murgo said.

As police attempted to arrest them, the three occupants of the car fled, Murgo said.

Ruiz and Sierra were apprehended after a pursuit on foot, Murgo said.

Ruiz was found in possession of a 9 mm Glock handgun that had been stolen in 2021 in Tampa, Fla., he said.

Sierra was held on $100,000 bond and Ruiz was held on $250,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in New Haven on March 20.

The full list of offenses Ruiz was charged with are: third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit firstdegree criminal trover, two counts larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of burglary tools, seconddegree criminal trespass, interfering with a police officer, carrying a pistol without a permit, theft of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm.

In addition, police said Ruiz was also found to have “several” active arrest warrants with bonds totaling $300,000, as well as an arrest warrant out of Newtown with a $20,000 bond.

“The identity of the third suspect has been confirmed by detectives. Charges will be forthcoming for that individual,” Murgo added.

Sierra

Ruiz