Charges Filed in Stolen Firearms Case Involving Newington Cars

NEWINGTON, CT — A suspect has been arrested in a car burglary case involving firearms stolen in Newington and other towns, a leading prosecutor said.

United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham and Kelly D. Brady, special agent in charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, said Wednesday that Ray Quan Santos, 21, of Hartford, has been charged via a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy and firearms offenses.

The case stems from an investigation of motor vehicle thefts and motor vehicle break-ins in and around north-central Connecticut.

The property stolen from vehicles includes firearms, ammunition and firearms-related items, Durham said. The investigation revealed that Santos and others stole firearms and other items from vehicles, including vehicles that were parked outside of residences in Newington and Ellington, and then sold the firearms to other individuals, according to a case records.

Santos, who has been incarcerated in state custody on related charges, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Robert A. Richardson in Hartford Wednesday and remains detained, Durham said.

The complaint charges Santos with conspiring to a commit a federal felony, an offense that carries a maximum prison term of five years; and possession of a stolen firearm, an offense that carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison.