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On Feb. 11 at about 1 a.m., a police officer observed two males walking northbound on Hollow Tree Ridge Road in close proximity to the Post Road.
In recent months, this part of Darien has repeatedly experienced overnight motor vehicle burglaries, according to police.
As the officer made contact with the two individuals, a third subject was observed emerging from a residential driveway on foot. Additional officers were then dispatched to the location.
While en-route as back up, a second officer located an abandoned Ford Econoline van on the Post Road, partially blocking the intersection with Hollow Tree Ridge Road.
The van had no lights on, a flat tire, and the engine compartment was smoking.
The individuals that the first officer had detained were located less than a quarter-mile from where the van was recovered. Officers were able to contact the registered owner of the van who indicated that it should have been parked in the driveway of his nearby Post Road. residence. The owner also explained that the keys were left in the vehicle because it was being donated to a local charity and was scheduled to get picked up this week.
Through investigation it was determined that the three individuals that were detained had in fact stolen the van from the driveway of the residence. When the vehicle became disabled, they abandoned it and began walking northbound on Hollow Tree Ridge Road.
The subjects were identified as Jonathan Blanco, 18, of 40 Dean St. in Stamford, Richard Beltran, 19, of 33 Stephens St. Stamford, and the third subject who was seen emerging from the driveway was identified as a juvenile male.
Initially while identifying Blanco, he provided a fake name to disguise his identity and later would be charged accordingly, police said.
All three subjects were taken into custody and transported to police headquarters separately. During processing, Blanco was extremely uncooperative and while secured in a cell, caused damage to the toilet on two occasions, police said.
Blanco, who was charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree larceny, was being held on $5,000 bond. He was additionally charged with third-degree conspiracy to larceny, interfering with an officer and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief.
Beltran, also being held on $5,000 bond, was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and third-degree conspiracy to larceny.
The juvenile was released to an adult and was referred to the Stamford Superior Court of Juvenile Matters.
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