Watch: Conn. Police Use Fake Dirt Bike Ad to Catch Theft Suspects

An Enfield police undercover sting operation targeting dirt bike and ATV thefts ended with three arrests after suspects allegedly targeted a storage unit being used as bait.

By Richard Chumney

Source Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

Oct. 8, 2026

2 min read

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Enfield police created a fake online ad for dirt bikes and used a storage unit as bait in an undercover operation targeting theft crews.
Three suspects allegedly tried to break into the unit before officers emerged from a nearby hiding spot and moved in to make arrests.
Two suspects were caught after a foot chase, while a K-9 tracked down a third suspect hiding in a nearby wooded area.

Enfield police chase after suspects during an undercover sting operation — Enfield police officers concealed in a storage unit reveal themselves when three men allegedly attempted a predawn break-in after the department used a fake online dirt bike listing to lure suspected thieves to the storage facility.

ENFIELD, CT—Town police used a fake online advertisement to lure would-be dirt bike thieves to a local storage facility, officials said.

The covert sting operation led to the arrest of three people early Thursday morning, according to the Enfield Police Department.

Police said the operation, dubbed “Operation Whiskey Throttle,” was conducted to apprehend suspects involved in the theft of dirt bikes and ATVs from storage units, homes and businesses.

“These crimes have become very common and remain very difficult to solve if the suspects are not caught in the act,” police said.

Police said a listing was placed in an online marketplace advertising “dirt bikes for sale” in order to attract the attention of suspects looking to steal dirt bikes.

Three men were later spotted attempting to break into the storage unit around 4 a.m., leading officers who were hiding in a nearby unit to reveal themselves, police said.

The suspects attempted to flee on foot, but two of them were stopped after a short chase while the third was located in an adjoining woodline with the help of a police K-9, officials said.

Police identified the suspects as Angelo Cruz, 21, of Worcester, Mass., Anthony Smith, 23, of Worcester, Mass., and Carlos Torres, 23, who had no listed address.

They were each charged with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass and interfering with police. They were held on $250,000 bonds.

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