Connecticut Fugitive Nabbed in North Carolina

EAST HARTFORD, CT — A fugitive from north central Connecticut wanted for a violent crime was picked up in North Carolina on Wednesday, police said.

At 8:20 p.m., on Wednesday, Carlton Depeyster, 26, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Charlotte, NC, police said.

“Our Citizens deserve to live in peace,” East Hartford Police Chief Scott Sansom said. “Tonight our community is safer thanks to the dedication and hard work of East Hartford Police patrol officers and Detectives, and our Law Enforcement partners, especially the U.S. Marshals Service. This dangerous fugitive is now in custody.”

Depeyster was arrested with another man, Paul Comer, 28, also wanted in Connecticut on a state parole warrant. Depeyster attempted to flee but was chased down after a short pursuit, police said.

Comer was taken into custody without incident, police said.

On Tuesday, East Hartford police requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in the District of Connecticut to assist them in locating and arresting Depeyster, who they believe had fled Connecticut.

Depeyster was wanted in connection to a shooting that occurred on Jan, 18, at a Krauszer’s convenience store on Main Street in East Hartford, police said.

Depeyster currently has outstanding warrants from East Hartford for first-degree assault and the criminal use of a firearm, police said.

While working with the East Hartford Police Department, information was developed that Depeyster did flee the state and was believed to be hiding out in North Carolina, police said. A priority request for assistance was sent to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in North Carolina on Tuesday night and within 24 hours Depeyster was found and placed into custody, police said.

“This is an excellent example of the collaborative efforts that occur on a daily basis between the U.S. Marshal’s Service and our local partners to Investigate and arrest violent individuals who attempt to flee justice” Connecticut U.S. Marshal Brian Taylor said.

The shooting investigation is continuing, police said.

Depeyster and Comer are being held, pending extradition from North Carolina, police said.

Photo Credit: EHPD