Crime & Safety

Pair Arrested for Stealing Cars, DUI in Mansfield

The vehicles were taken from a residence on Stearns Road.

A couple of early-morning joy rides in stolen vehicles led to the arrest of a Mansfield man and a woman from Willimantic Monday, according to the Mansfield Resident State Trooper’s Office.

Steven W. Banfield, 27, of 477 Stafford Rd., is charged with obtaining drugs illegally, second-degree larceny: motor vehicle theft, sixth-degree larceny: from a motor vehicle and conspiracy.

Neysha M. Rodriguez, 21, of 64 Memorial Dr., Willimantic, is charged with second-degree larceny: motor vehicle theft, sixth-degree larceny: from a motor vehicle and conspiracy.

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Police were dispatched to Stearns Road around 4 a.m. Monday to investigate a report of a vehicle off the roadway.

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Upon arrival, police discovered Banfield and Rodriguez on the scene with two cars that police later determined were stolen, according to a police report.

Banfield and Rodriguez were found to be under the influence at the time, according to police. Banfield was further charged for possession of a controlled substance after he was found in possession of prescription medication taken from one of the stolen vehicles, police said.

Both cars were recovered and returned to their rightful owner, according to police.

Banfield is being held on $30,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Monday, May 21. Rodriguez’s bond was set at $2,000.


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