RYE, N.Y. — A Connecticut man is facing felony charges after allegedly burglarizing an unoccupied Rye home on New Year’s night, attempting to steal a BMW, and driving away in an Audi SUV, police said.
Authorities identified the suspect as Joao Caetano De Sa, 26, of Danbury, Connecticut. The burglary occurred at a residence on Drake Smith Lane and was discovered early the next morning.
Rye police were alerted after Bernards Township, New Jersey, officers arrested De Sa when he allegedly crashed the stolen Audi Q5 through a security gate at the Verizon headquarters in Basking Ridge. Investigators believe De Sa damaged the garage while attempting to steal a BMW before taking the Audi from the driveway.
Police said they had earlier responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked on the street, registered to a Danbury resident. Shortly afterward, officers were notified by New Jersey police about the stolen Audi, leading them to uncover the burglary.
Authorities said De Sa attempted to access the Verizon facility using an invalid badge before driving through the gate and being located in the parking garage.
De Sa was arraigned in Rye City Court on Jan. 7 after waiving extradition from New Jersey. He faces charges of second-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny, and second-degree criminal mischief. Bail was set at $40,000 cash, $60,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.
He was remanded to the Westchester County Jail and is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 13.
