Stolen Car Recovered At Trumbull Mall, 3 Arrested: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — A stolen car found at the Trumbull Mall last week led to the arrest of two men and one juvenile, all from Meriden, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said officers were notified Thursday around 12:30 p.m. that a white 2014 Kia Sorento was parked at the mall.

According to Weir, the vehicle had been reported stolen Wednesday to the Bristol Police Department after the key was stolen from a locker at a Planet Fitness gym in Bristol. The Kia also matched the description of a car that had been used in break-ins of other vehicles in Trumbull.

Officers located the unoccupied Kia in the mall parking lot and arrested Edgardo Mercado, 21, as he was entering the driver's side door with shopping bags of merchandise and the vehicle's key in his hand, Weir said.

The other passengers entering the Kia ran back into the mall when they saw police arrest Mercado, but officers chased after them on foot. Officers later found John Adorno, 19, inside a women's fitting room at Macy's and a 16-year-old juvenile in the food court area, Weir said.

Police had previously investigated vehicle break-ins at Planet Fitness and Edge Fitness gyms in Trumbull where purses had been stolen, Weir said.

According to Weir, a witness observed a white Kia SUV pull into one of the gyms' parking lots, where a man exited the car and threw an object through the window of another vehicle. A man then entered and stole a purse from inside of this vehicle before returning to the white Kia and fleeing the area.

Credit cards stolen from the car break-ins were used to make approximately $2,000 worth of fraudulent purchases at the mall. According to Weir, the used stolen credit cards were found in Mercado's possession.

Police also recovered merchandise purchased with these stolen credit cards, along with other items stolen from the mall, Weir said. Mercado initially provided a false name to police, however officers later confirmed his identity.

The remaining suspects avoided capture and remain at large, Weir said.

Mercado, who was also found to have five outstanding warrants for his arrest, was charged with second-degree larceny, fourth-degree larceny, fifth-degree larceny, four counts of third-degree forgery, two counts of third-degree burglary, interfering with police and credit card theft.

He was held a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in August, according to Weir.

Adorno was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, fourth-degree larceny, fifth-degree larceny, two counts of third-degree burglary and credit card theft. He was held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in August, according to Weir.

The 16-year-old juvenile was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, fourth-degree larceny, fifth-degree larceny, two counts of third-degree burglary and credit card theft. He was released to the custody of his mother on a promise to appear in juvenile court in August, according to Weir.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or leading to the identity of the remaining suspects is asked to contact the Trumbull Police Department at (203) 261-3665. Anyone providing information may remain anonymous, police said.