One of the men was charged by West Hartford Police in connection with 12 incidents, and the other also faces federal narcotics charges.

By Ronni Newton

Two men were arrested by West Hartford Police on Wednesday, following an investigation by the Detective Division and Community Support Unit, in connection with the strong-arm robbery and theft of numerous pairs of designer sunglasses.

In a news release, Capt. Eric Rocheleau said police have been investigating the theft of designer sunglasses from multiple businesses, as well as in some cases the stealing of designer sunglasses by use of force against store employees.

Information developed by members of the West Hartford Police Department Detective Division and the Community Support Unit (CSU) led to the identification of Angel Maldonado, 29, as a suspect in 12 incidents in West Hartford, as well as incidents in Newington, Wethersfield, Bristol, Hartford, and Avon, Rocheleau said.

Police were successful in obtaining 10 arrest warrants in conjunction with thefts and robberies that occurred in West Hartford, and arrested Maldonado without incident on Wednesday at the Travel Inn Motel on Weston Street in Hartford. He has been charged with one count of second-degree larceny, one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, three counts of third-degree robbery, three counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree robbery, two counts of third-degree larceny, two counts of conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny, and two counts of organized retail theft.

Maldonado, who according to online court records has previous convictions on charges that include burglary, larceny, and probation violation, is being held on $225,000 court set surety bond, Rocheleau said.

Police said additional warrants charging Maldonado in connection with two subsequent incidents are pending.

Police also arrested Luis Serrano, 28, without incident at the Travel Inn Motel on Weston Street on Wednesday.

Serrano was identified as Maldonado’s accomplice in three of the incidents in West Hartford, and is being investigated for involvement in other thefts, including in other towns. Arrest warrants are expected to be granted in connection with his involvement in incidents in West Hartford as well as in other towns, police said.

Rocheleau said Serrano was also arrested on an active federal narcotics warrant, and also has an active arrest warrant from the Meriden Police Department. He will be released into federal custody, Rocheleau said.

Police said both men are currently listed as homeless and have been staying at area hotels. Maldonado had previous addresses in New Britain and Meriden.

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