Man arrested for stealing dirt bike from tow company

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A 28-year-old was arrested for stealing a dirt bike from a tow company after fleeing from police earlier in the day.

On March 3 around 5:00 p.m. officers saw a male riding an unregistered off-road motorcycle in the area of Chatham and Rowe Streets in the Fair Haven section of the city.

Police say the dirt bike had a mechanical malfunction which caused it to stop. The driver abandoned it and then fled from the officers on foot.

The officers had the bike, a 2006 Kawasaki 250, towed by Megill's Towing of 1390 Whalley Avenue.

Around 5:45 p.m. officers responded to the report of a robbery at Megill's Towing.

Employees say a male entered the property to take the dirt bike. When an employee tried to stop the man from stealing the bike, the man allegedly motioned that he had a handgun in his waistband and threatened for shoot the employee, police said.

Based on the description of the suspect, officers were able to track down the suspect, William Ramirez, 28, at his home at 1134 Quinnipiac Avenue.

Ramirez was subsequently arrested for first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, threatening, and second-degree criminal trespass.

Police say a witness positively identified Ramirez as the robber.

The dirt bike was found at a relative's house and was towed back to Megill's Towing.