Alleged car theft ring halted

Milford, CT Police with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Auto Theft Task Force posed as a professional car thief in an effort to arrest a Springfield, VT man and a Milford man who were involved in an alleged theft of vehicles.

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/milfordmirror/news/localnews/86201-sting-operation-nets-alleged-car-thieves.html

Sting operation nets alleged car thieves

Written by Jill K. Dion

Thursday, 17 February 2011 14:09

The Milford Police Department Tactical Unit, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police Auto Theft Task Force, took two men into custody Feb. 16 for allegedly trying to sell stolen cars to undercover police offices.

The joint operation began when investigators received information that Scott Bogardus, 48, of Springfield, Vt., expressed interest in buying a stolen pickup truck of a specific make and model.

Bogardus made arrangements with the undercover officer to purchase a purported stolen truck, offering to trade a semi-trailer and pay $400 in cash for the truck, police said in a prepared press release.

Bogardus and the undercover officer agreed to meet at the commuter parking lot on Old Gate Lane to make the exchange.

Detectives met with Bogardus and Richard Owen, 41, of Milford, at the commuter parking area.

After police inspected the vehicles, both Bogardus and Owen were taken into custody.

During their arrest, detectives found the men in possession of a reproduced vehicle identification number plate. Detectives are continuing their investigation after finding that the vehicle identification number of the trailer being exchanged by Bogardus had been removed.

Bogardus was charged with criminal attempt to commit larceny in the second degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree, forgery in the second degree, mutilation of a vehicle identification number and conspiracy to mutilate a vehicle identification number. Both were held on a $100,000 bond.

Owen, of 1052 Boston Post Rd., Milford, was charged with criminal attempt to commit larceny in the second degree, conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree, forgery in the second degree and held on a $75,000 bond.

Both men were transported to Milford Superior Court today for arraignment.