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3 Arrested After Police Interrupt Thefts at Car Dealership

Three East Haven residents, including two teens, are facing charges after allegedly stealing a car in Branford and trying to take tires off cars parked at a dealership, according to police.

Police said an officer in the area heard loud noises coming from the dealership at 384 West Main Street in Branford and headed over to investigate.

The suspects had fled by the time he pulled into the parking lot, but he arrived to find a running car with an ignition that had been tampered with and an SUV propped onto car jack with one of the tires partially pried off, according to police.

The officer called for backup and police reviewed video surveillance from the dealership. They were able to identify two suspects, both teenagers, who were found walking on West Main Street in East Haven near the Branford town line, according to police.

The teens, 18-year-old Josh Dippini and Marc Vargas, were arrested and taken into custody. Police also connected 23-year-old Jessica Covert to a car theft that took place around 4 a.m. and arrested her as well.

All three suspects were charged with various counts of larceny. Vargas was also charged with first-degree criminal trover to recover the stolen property.

Covert was held on $2,500 bond and was arraigned today. Dippini was released on a promise to appear and Vargas was released after posting $5,000 bond. They’re both due in court Aug. 26.

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