Man In Stolen Car Arrested In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — A 40-year-old Norwalk man, who repeatedly lied to police about the vehicle was driving and why he was in Darien on July 12, was arrested on a larceny charge after officers discovered the car had been reported out of New Jersey, according to Darien authorities.

The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on Hoyt Street when a police license plate reader indicated that the 2014 Toyota Camry that drove by had been reported stolen.

"The Officers pulled out behind the vehicle, which made a sudden turn onto Phillips Lane, parking in [a driveway]," wrote police in a statement. "The Officers pulled behind the vehicle and activated their emergency lights. As the vehicle was reported stolen, Officers immediately ordered the driver, later identified as Terrance Parker, to step out. He was then handcuffed and secured in the rear of the patrol car as an investigatory detention.

"When asked, Parker told Officers that the vehicle belonged to his 'cousin Wayne’s girlfriend.' Dispatch relayed to Officers that the vehicle had been confirmed stolen from Newark, NJ in May of 2017. At this point, Parker was informed that he was under arrest.

"Parker told Officers that he had picked up the vehicle that morning at a repair garage in Stamford at around 7:30 a.m. He stated he had his cousin’s permission, and had no idea why the vehicle would have been reported as stolen. When asked why he pulled onto Phillips Lane, he stated he was looking for an address to give an estimate for the rubbish removal company he worked for. Officers on scene contacted Parker’s supervisor, who indicated he was not supposed to be in that area, had never been asked to get an estimate, and was supposed to be at an address on Courtland Aveue in Stamford."

Police checked Parker’s license and discovered that was suspended, "and that there was an active arrest warrant [for him] out of New Canaan. The warrant was for Evading Responsibility in a Motor Vehicle Accident (AKA Hit and Run)."

Darien police added, "Once at headquarters, Officers contacted the person that Parker indicated was the cousin that gave him permission to use the vehicle. The individual stated that he was not related to Parker, nor had he seen the vehicle since it was stolen in May of this year. He also told Officers that he never gave Parker permission to use it."

Police also found a prescription bottle in the car, and after contacting the person whose name appeared on the label, they discovered that Parker, who had initially indicated that this person was his brother, had lied about that, too. "The individual told Officers he was only an acquaintance of Parker’s, and that he saw Parker driving the vehicle two days prior. At that time, Parker had indicated he was going to purchase the vehicle from his 'cousin Wayne.'"

Parker, of County Street in Norwalk, was charged with second-degree larceny and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Earlier this month, Parker was also arrested in Norwalk on a driving under the influence charge after he was discovered asleep behind the wheel of a running car.

He was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on July 13.

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