On 09/16/2024 at approximately 1:40 PM, the Essex Resident Trooper’s Office was advised of a motor vehicle stolen from the Bokum Plaza in Essex. A Trooper assigned to Troop F-Westbrook and an Essex Police Officer responded to the scene and learned that the vehicle, a black Pontiac Grand Prix, was stolen from the parking lot area while the owner of the vehicle was in a nearby store shopping. The vehicle's owner acknowledged that they had left the Pontiac running and returned to find their vehicle missing from the parking lot.
A witness told the owner of the Pontiac that they saw a male party on his cell phone while standing beside some bushes and they noticed the Pontiac was running. The witness said that once they returned to their vehicle a short time later, they noticed both the male party and the Pontiac were gone.
The Essex Officer reviewed security camera footage obtained by nearby businesses and immediately recognized the male individual to be David Hunter, DOB 08/25/1986, of Deep River, from previous law enforcement interactions. The Essex Officer showed the complainant a still photo of Hunter from the security camera footage, and the victim stated they also recognized Hunter, who did not have permission to take the vehicle.
A witness told the investigating Officer that they saw Hunter arrive at a residence in Deep River driving a black Pontiac, matching the description of the reported stolen vehicle, but that he left the residence shortly thereafter.
The Essex Officer contacted Hunter by telephone and when Hunter answered the phone, the Essex Officer identified himself, to which Hunter responded by hanging up the call. The Essex Officer then contact Hunter through mobile text advising him of who the vehicle belonged to, and Hunter acknowledged the message by replying, "Ok" "And". The Essex Officer encouraged Hunter to return the vehicle, but Hunter failed to respond.
Shortly afterwards, the Essex Officer was advised that Hunter had communicated to others that he intended to leave the Pontiac at a church located somewhere between Deep River and Middletown. Multiple Troopers along with the Essex Officer began searching for the stolen vehicle within this area and later located the unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot of a local church in Higganum. The victim was notified that their vehicle had been located, and when they arrived on scene to retrieve their vehicle, they advised the Essex Officer that their vehicle had sustained new damage.
As the investigation continued, investigators developed information suggesting that Hunter was in the center of Higganum. In response, several Troopers responded to the area and located Hunter hiding underneath a bridge on Depot Rd. During Troopers interaction with Hunter, Hunter admitted to taking the vehicle, but did not want to disclose where he placed the keys to the vehicle. Additionally, a DMV query revealed that Hunter possesses an ID card only and that his driving privileges had been suspended.
Based on the information detailed above, Hunter was taken into State Police custody and transported to Troop F to be processed and charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 53aa-119c, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 53a-126b, Criminal Trover 2nd Degree
C.G.S. 14-215, Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Under Suspension
Hunter was held on a $50,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Middlesex Superior Court on 09/17/2024.
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