SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — Greenfield resident Yanassis Ruiz, 24, was arrested Tuesday morning, more than a year after she allegedly struck a car intentionally to steal it.

According to the South Windsor Police Department, Ruiz was arrested at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday on an active warrant. Ruiz faces charges of failure to appear in the second degree and conspiracy to commit motor vehicle larceny for an incident that occurred in April 2023, in which she and two other individuals allegedly struck a car on Route 5, also known as John Fitch Boulevard, in order to steal it when its driver stepped out.

“We certainly have stolen vehicles,” South Windsor Police Sgt. Mark Cleverdon said. “It happens regularly, but to have someone who was rear-ended under the guise of an accident, and then when that person gets out knowing that they were just struck by another vehicle [and they’re trying] to exchange information or make sure everyone’s OK, and then their vehicle’s taken, it adds an extra added layer of deceit in criminality.”

Cleverdon said the stolen car was later sold to an individual from Springfield for $4,500 in cash. The individual who purchased the car discovered it was stolen after trying, and failing, to contact the seller to obtain the car’s title.

Law enforcement from Greenfield and Springfield assisted the South Windsor Police Department in their investigation, Cleverdon said.

Ruiz was extradited from Massachusetts on Tuesday, held and processed on a $25,000 bond. She was expected to be arraigned in Connecticut on Wednesday.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com