Package Thief Suspect, Victim Found Fighting in Middletown: Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man was arrested for allegedly stealing delivery packages from homes in town and one of the victims also faces charges after police found him fighting with the suspect in the middle of the street.

Middletown Police responded to Spring Street at about 12:18 p.m. on March 31 on the report of a package being stolen from the front porch of a home.

The victim told police that the package contained two pairs of sneakers, one was a pair of Converse valued at $50 and the other was a pair of New Balance, also valued at $50, according to the police report.

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During the course of the investigation, police identified Terrance Harding, 49, as the suspect and later located him at the intersection of Main Street and Grand Street while he was involved in an active fight.

Police said Harding was in possession of both pairs of sneakers, along with other items that were potentially stolen. The owner of the sneakers arrived on the scene and they were returned to her.

Leon Hinds, 31, was actively punching Harding when officers arrived on the scene and he told police that Harding had been stealing USPS packages from him and other people in the north end of Middletown.

Hinds told police that the fight occurred when he confronted Harding about the thefts.

Harding, of 15 Johnson Street, was charged with sixth-degree larceny and second-degree breach of peace. He was held in lieu of bonds totaling $15,000 and was due in court on April 1.

Hinds, of Pearl Street, was issued a misdemeanor summons and charged with second-degree breach of peace and is due in court on April 7.