FILE PHOTO — Two New Haven men were arrested at Trumbull Mall Tuesday after they were found traveling in a Nissan Altima that had been reported stolen to Bridgeport police on Jan. 20, according to Trumbull police.
Trumbull Police / ContributedTRUMBULL — Two men were caught traveling in a stolen car at a local mall Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
The men were identified as Elliot Echevarria, 38, and Jose Manuel Santini, 43, both of New Haven, Lt. Brian Weir, public information officer for the Trumbull Police Department, said Wednesday. Echevarria and Santini have extensive criminal records that include convictions for larceny, drug offenses and interfering with police, Weir said. They have also previously been convicted of burglary and robbery, respectively, Weir added.
Echevarria was driving a Nissan Altima through the parking lot of the Westfield Trumbull mall around noon Tuesday when he and Santini, his passenger, were apprehended, according to Weir. Police identified the car as one that had been reported stolen to Bridgeport police on Jan. 20 and stopped it near the mall’s Cheesecake Factory, according to Weir.
Santini became argumentative with officers, alleging he had purchased the Nissan from a friend four months earlier and he had the car’s title at his home, Weir said. However, Weir said, he did not have the bill of sale.
Following their arrests, Echevarria and Santini were charged with third-degree larceny, according to Weir. Echevarria was also charged with operating a motor vehicle under suspension after investigators determined his Connecticut driving privileges had been temporarily revoked as of August, Weir said.
Both men were released on $10,000 bond, according to Weir. They are scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on Feb. 3.
caroline.tien@hearst.com