Juvenile Arrested In Westport Carjacking

The Westport Police Department has issued this press release:

Earlier today, the Westport Police Detective Bureau arrested a 16-year-old juvenile in connection with the carjacking that occurred this past Sunday.

Based on information obtained by the Westport Detective Bureau, a warrant to search a residence in Berlin, CT was secured.

(Yesterday), the warrant was executed by members of the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, of which Westport is a member, along with members of Berlin Police Department.  During this search 4 stolen motor vehicles were recovered, one of which was the Aston Martin taken during the carjacking.

 

Aston Martin recovered in Berlin.

A 2021 BMW 530i that was stolen from Westport on September 16 and used in the carjacking was also located during the search.

Finally, a BMW stolen from Ridgefield and a Porsche stolen from Rhode Island were also recovered. Thirty-nine-year-old Derrick McGill, who lives at the home where the stolen cars were found, was placed under arrest  by the Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force but does not currently have charges pending in Westport. He is being held on a $250,000 bond and has been charged with the following crimes:

• Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1^st Degree (4 Counts)
• Conspiracy to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1^st (1 Count)
• Payment Card Theft (1 Count)
• Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count)
• Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Operation of a Chop Shop (1 Count)

BMWs stolen  from Westport and Ridgefield.

On September 19, 2023, Westport Police Detectives, the Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, and members of the Waterbury Police Department executed a second search warrant on a residence in Waterbury. A handgun with an extended magazine was seized.

A 16-year-old juvenile who resides in the home was arrested by Westport police after evidence linking him to the carjacking was uncovered. He was charged with the following crimes:

• Strangulation 1^st Degree
• Robbery by Carjacking
• Burglary 1^st Degree
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1^st Degree
• Assault 3^rd Degree
• Home invasion

Additionally, he was arrested for his alleged involvement in the theft of the BMW on September 16, 2023, and used in the carjacking. The juvenile was charged with the following:

• Larceny of Motor Vehicle 1^st Degree
• Illegal Taking of Payment Card

Westport detectives will seek an order to detain and if granted the juvenile will be transported to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center later today.

Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas stated, “By utilizing technology, inter-departmental cooperation, and good old fashioned police work, the Detective Bureau in concert with Bridgeport Auto-theft Task Force was able to make rapid progress in this investigation which resulted in the arrest of one of the suspects less than 36 hours after the incident occurred.”

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said, “As always, the professionalism, expertise and experience of our Westport Police Department, was on full display as they worked diligently and rapidly to solve this case. I am also grateful for the assistance from the other State and municipal agencies and the Task Force who helped bring it to a swift conclusion.”

She added, “Together with our public safety officials, we will continue the conversations and daily practices to deter further incidents, and to make Westport a community that remains safe and welcoming for all.”

Westport Police want to thank the Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, Bridgeport Auto Theft Task Force, Berlin Police Department and Waterbury Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

Westport Police Detectives continue to work with partner agencies in developing leads to identify additional suspects involved in this incident.