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2 arrested in organized theft ring behind stolen car rims and tires: Hartford police

A task force was formed by Hartford police with a focus on "identifying and apprehending" those involved in a rising number of rim and tire thefts in the city.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford police arrested two people Monday involved in an organized theft ring behind a rash of stolen car rims and tires, the city's police department said.

Jorge Burgos, 25, and Ricardo Torres, 37, both of Hartford, are facing charges of larceny in the third degree and interfering with police. Police identified them as being a part of the theft ring.

In August, the Hartford Police Department formed a task force focused on "identifying and apprehending" those involved in a rising number of rim and tire thefts throughout the city, police said. The group consists of detectives, officers, and analysts from the Investigative Services Bureau, the Community Service Bureau, and the Capital City Command Center.

The task force identified a "large scale, organized rim theft operation" that spanned multiple Hartford neighborhoods as well as surrounding towns.

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On Monday, the task force found Burgos and Torres in the act of jacking up a vehicle and stealing all four of its rims and tires, according to police. The two were arrested as they moved the rims and tires to Brook Street in a car.

Investigators seized two vehicles and multiple pieces of evidence connected to the thefts, police said.

Multiple other individuals who are connected to the theft ring have been identified, and more charges and arrests are anticipated, according to police.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked by police to call the Hartford Police Department tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com.

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