Meriden Teen Charged in Westport Vehicle Break-Ins, Credit Card Theft

The 18-year-old suspect allegedly broke into two cars in a Westport home's garage and used the stolen credit cards for unauthorized purchases.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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An 18-year-old Meriden resident named William Torres has been arrested and charged with theft of a payment card, sixth-degree larceny, charging less than $500 on a stolen/revoked payment card, and third-degree identity theft. The charges stem from an incident in October 2025 where Torres allegedly broke into two vehicles parked in a Westport home's garage and stole credit cards, which he then used to make unauthorized purchases totaling less than $500.

Why it matters

Vehicle break-ins and credit card theft are ongoing issues in many communities, with perpetrators often targeting unlocked cars and garages. This case highlights the need for residents to remain vigilant about securing their property and monitoring their financial accounts for any suspicious activity.

The details

According to Westport Police Lt. Anthony Prezioso, the victims began receiving fraud alerts on one of the stolen credit cards, leading them to discover that their vehicles parked in the garage had been entered overnight. A wallet containing cash, identification documents, and credit cards was taken from one of the vehicles. Unauthorized transactions were made or attempted using the stolen cards, both online and in person, though the total was less than $500. Police were able to trace one of the unauthorized transactions to a DoorDash delivery to Torres' address, which led them to obtain a warrant for his arrest.

  • The incident occurred on October 21, 2025.
  • Torres was arrested and charged on February 18, 2026.
  • Torres is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Friday.

The players

William Torres

An 18-year-old resident of Meriden, Connecticut, who was arrested and charged with theft of a payment card, sixth-degree larceny, charging less than $500 on a stolen/revoked payment card, and third-degree identity theft.

Anthony Prezioso

A lieutenant with the Westport Police Department who provided details about the investigation and Torres' arrest.

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What they’re saying

“These alerts led them to the discovery that both vehicles that had been parked in their garage had been entered overnight.”

— Anthony Prezioso, Lieutenant, Westport Police Department (Patch.com)

“Through search warrants for records, one of these unauthorized transactions was determined to have been a Door Dash purchase and delivery to the address of William Torres.”

— Anthony Prezioso, Lieutenant, Westport Police Department (Patch.com)

What’s next

Torres was released on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Friday, where the judge will determine the next steps in the case.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for residents to keep their vehicles and homes secure, and to closely monitor their financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Proactive measures can help prevent such crimes and protect against the consequences of identity theft and credit card fraud.