The West Hartford Police Department has arrested two Meriden men found in town with a stolen vehicle and who were wanted by other law enforcement agencies in conjunction with multiple car burglaries.

By Ronni Newton

Two men were arrested by West Hartford Police on Monday and face new charges related to the stolen vehicle they were driving and the stolen license plates and burglary tools police found, as well as additional charges connected to outstanding warrants from other Connecticut towns.

According to information released on Wednesday, just after 1 p.m. on July 31, members of the West Hartford Police Department’s Community Support Unit (CSU) spotted a vehicle that was connected to a large number of car burglaries – in many cases involving physical damage to those vehicle to gain access to passenger compartments – that have taken place in the Greater Hartford area as well in other towns in the state.

The vehicle, a 2019 white Toyota RAV4, had been reported stolen from New Britain, and was also displaying stolen license plates, police said.

Brothers Victor Mercado, 24, and Samuel Mercado, 26, both of Meriden, who were occupants of the RAV4, were detained by West Hartford Police at the scene. One other individual, who was also found at the scene, was released, Lt. Daniel Moffo said Wednesday.

In the RAV4, police found burglary tools, four stolen license plates, and four additional active and/or canceled license plates.

Both Victor and Samuel Mercado had active warrants from other towns and now face charges from West Hartford as well.

Victor Mercado. Courtesy of West Hartford Police

Victor Mercado was wanted by police departments in Wethersfield, Seymour, and Meriden, and has now been charged by West Hartford Police with larceny of a motor vehicle, first-degree larceny, misuse of plates, operating a motor vehicle without a license, possession of burglar’s tools, and theft of plates.

He was initially held on $25,000 surety bond and due in court on Aug. 1. Online court records indicate that he remains in custody on $50,000 court-set bond with his next appearance scheduled for Aug. 24.

Court records also indicate previous charges of reckless endangerment and violation of probation.

Samuel Mercado. Courtesy of West Hartford Police

Samuel Mercado was also wanted by police departments in Meriden, Farmington, and Cromwell, and was charged Monday by West Hartford Police with larceny of a motor vehicle, first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of burglar’s tools.

He was assigned a $25,000 surety bond, and West Hartford Police turned him over to Farmington police. His next court appearance is Aug. 10.

Court records for Samuel Mercado indicate a previous larceny conviction and violations of conditions of release.

In connection with charges Meriden Police made Tuesday, Samuel Mercado faces additional charges of larceny, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest connected to a June 2023 incident, and was released on $15,000 surety bond in connection with those charges with his next court date set for Aug. 16.

Farmington Police charged Samuel Mercado on Monday with charges connected to misuse of a payment card and sixth-degree larceny, and he was released on $5,000 surety bond related to that case.

He also faces of interfering with an officer/resisting arrest charges from Meriden Police related to an May 2o23 incident.

West Hartford Police ask that any member of the public who has any information regarding this incident, or other similar incidents, contact them via the anonymous tip line at 860-570-8969 or via email at [email protected].

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