Early this morning, officers from District A-7 (East Boston) were on patrol when they observed a motor vehicle being operated in the Central square area. Officers, thinking that the operator was connected to a person wanted by the police, proceeded to conduct a traffic stop of this car at the intersection of Porter and Orleans Street.
At the stop, officers approached the car and once close enough immediately noticed that the car had a dangling steering column, broken ignition and a screwdriver on the floor. Officers checked the status of the car on their Mobile Data terminal (MDT) and discovered that the car had been reported stolen on 3/3/11 in Somerville.
The occupants were given their Miranda rights and then asked about their connection to the stolen car. The operator of the car then told officers, “I did not have any money for the bus so I took the car. My friend told me there is a car by Tello’s. I was[just] going to take it and leave it there.” Based on the condition of the car and the obvious signs of theft, both the operator, Walter Gutierrez, 19 and passenger, Josue Cardona, 20 both of Chelsea were arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle.