Cops: Bronx Group Stole from a Third Darien Vehicle

A group of three young Bronx men and two juveniles didn't just steal wallets from two cars parked in driveways overnight in Darien last month, they stole from a third one as well, police now say.

Wallets stolen from two parked vehicles in Darien turned up when Norwalk police stopped a UHaul truck driving without headlights at about 4 a.m. Sunday, March 24, in that city, according to earlier reports.

The wallets belong to residents of Beach Drive and Raymond Street in Darien. Darien police now say that in the truck was a third item stolen from a vehicle, as well. It was a Coach brand business card holder that belonged to a resident of the southern end of Nearwater Lane (not far from Beach Drive).

As with the other thefts, there appeared to be no forced entry into the vehicle, which was parked in the owner's driveway overnight. The owner told police she saw things disordered in the vehicle, which appears to have been unlocked.

The three men and two boys were arrested in Norwalk after police there received a report of a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Main Avenue and Ward Street.

When Norwalk police responded to the report, they saw a UHaul panel truck driving without headlights, according to Darien police.

Jason Rivera, 24, Jonathan Mendez, 23, Eric Garcia, 19, each of 437 Morris Place in the Bronx, were each charged with conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, credit card theft and risk of injury to a minor.

The juveniles, also of Morris Place in the Bronx, were both released to their parents.