On 10/15/2024 at approximately 12:31 PM, a Trooper assigned to Troop K-Colchester responded to a local business on Main Street in Hebron for a reported stolen motor vehicle.
Upon the Trooper's arrival to the scene, they met with the complainant, who explained that while shopping at a nearby grocery store, she discovered her white Hyundai Santa Fe was missing upon returning to her parking space. The complainant informed the Trooper that she had left the vehicle unlocked with the key fob inside.
The Trooper spoke with employees at the business, who reported observing an adult female with a dog in the parking lot behaving strangely. During a thorough on-scene investigation, the Trooper noticed a silver Jeep Renegade displaying a Connecticut registration parked improperly in the lot. A DMV query revealed that the Jeep was registered to a resident of Hebron, a person the Trooper recognized from previous interactions.
With this information, the Trooper, accompanied by a Hebron Police Officer, responded to the registered owner's residence, where they found the stolen Hyundai in the driveway. As they approached the vehicle, the Trooper observed an adult female, identified as Michele Mcnaughton (DOB: 10/22/1973), sitting in the driver's seat with her dog in the passenger seat. The Trooper directed Mcnaughton to exit the vehicle, and she complied.
During their interaction, Mcnaughton claimed she thought she had entered her own vehicle, as both vehicles appeared similar to her. The Trooper also observed the complainant's wallet and cash scattered across the driver's seat, along with the complainant's driver's license taken out of the wallet. Throughout the investigation, Mcnaughton displayed signs of impairment and was asked to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Mcnaughton willingly performed the tests, to which she ultimately did not perform to standard. Mcnaughton was arrested and transported to Troop K for processing, where she was charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 14-215; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
C.G.S. 14-227a(3rd); Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs (3rd Offense)
C.G.S. 53a-119c; Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Mcnaughton was held on a $10,000 cash/surety bond and was scheduled for arraignment at Rockville Superior Court on 10/16/2024.
The Hyundai Santa Fe was ultimately returned to its owner.
Комментарии