WEST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -
Two teenagers in West Hartford are facing charges in connection with dozens of car burglaries in West Hartford.
Police said Christopher Franco and Angel Rodriguez, both are 19, were arrested just before 2 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Farmington Avenue and Ardmore Road. Officers said the two men were acting suspiciously.
When officers approached Franco and Rodriguez, the two men ran away from police and they had to use a stun gun on one man.
Investigators are trying to determine who broke into more than 60 cars in West Hartford over the past 10 days. Most of the break-ins have occurred in the Fern Street area, including on Auburn, Bretton and Cumberland roads.
"This doesn't paint this neighborhood in a bad light," said Heather LeBlanc of West Hartford.
Police have tied Franco and Rodriguez to at least a half-dozen car break-ins. However, they could not say if all these cases were connected.
"They were caught in the area, where all the car burglaries have been happening, so we are attempting to tie all those together to the previous car burglaries," said Capt. Donald Melanson.
West Hartford police are also talking with neighboring departments such as Newington and New Britain about car break-ins in their towns.
Police said they found the teens in possession of backpacks, and they were filled with loose change, credit cards and other items stolen from unlocked cars in the area.
A homeowner found a second backpack Tuesday morning, police said.
Patrols have been increased in the area after a dramatic increase in car burglaries in the past week. All of the crimes happened during overnight hours and most involved unlocked vehicles, police said.
"I don't feel this is a neighborhood that I feel nervous to be around in any time of the day or night," said Owen Hodge of West Hartford.
Franco and Rodriguez are expected to appear in Superior Court in Hartford on Wednesday.
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© Christopher Franco, 19 was arrested in connection with several car break-ins in West Hartford.
© Angel Rodriguez, 19 was arrested in connection with several car break-ins in West Hartford.
