GREENWICH, CT (April 28, 2023) – Four people were arrested after the stolen car they were in crashed into a house in Greenwich at about 3:00 am. Friday morning, police on patrol observed a Kia Forte traveling recklessly and at a high rate of speed on Field Point Road. Before officers could attempt to stop it, the vehicle had left the road and struck a house causing significant damage to both the car and the residence. The four occupants immediately fled the scene on foot but were soon taken into custody with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department's drone and the Westport Police Departments K9 Officer. The Kia had been reported stolen from New York City and had damage to its ignition consistent with the Kia Challenge. The Kia Challenge is a TikTok trend linked to a series of motor vehicle thefts starting in 2022, targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the United States. The thefts are perpetrated by teens and young adults who post their exploits on social media. One widely reported incident resulted in the death of four teens in Buffalo, NY, last October after the stolen car they were in crashed.
No one from the home or the vehicle was injured from the collision.
The Greenwich Police arrested the following:
- Anthony Izzac Alicea, 21, of the Bronx NY
- Jahim Hudson, 20, of the Bronx NY
- Keyon McCune, 19, of the Bronx NY
- Brandon Pandiello, 19, of the Bronx NY
Each suspect was charged with the following crimes:
- 53a-109 Criminal Trespass 3rd
- 53a-115 Criminal Mischief 1st
- 53a-123 Larceny 2nd
- 53a-48/53a-123 Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2nd
- 53a-126a Criminal Trover 1st
- 53a-167a Interfering with a Police Officer
Brandon Pandiello was additionally charged with the following motor vehicle violations as the operator of the car:
14-218a Traveling Unreasonably Fast
- 14-224(b)(3)* Evading Responsibility
- 14-230(a) Failure to Drive Right
- 14-36(a) Operating a Motor Vehicle without a license
The bond was $25,000.00 each, with an assigned court date of May 12, 2023. The Greenwich Police want to remind residents, if they see anything suspicious at any time of day, to contact the Dispatch Center at 203-622-8004 (24hrs) and ensure that the keys and fobs are removed from vehicles as car thieves continue to come to Greenwich regularly.