Southington Police Dog Catches Car Theft Suspect From Bridgeport: SPD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A young Bridgeport man and suspected car thief was taken into custody by a police dog Thursday at a Southington hotel after he tried to flee police.

The 19-year-old was eventually charged with gun, and motor vehicle theft charges among several others.

According to the Southington Police Department, Gionnie Canady, 19, of Bridgeport, was charged with second-degree larceny of a motor vehicle; second-degree criminal trover; interfering with a police officer; third-degree criminal mischief; criminal possession of a firearm; possession of a high-capacity magazine; weapons in a motor vehicle; carrying a pistol without a permit; first-degree reckless endangerment; reckless driving; engaging police in pursuit; evading responsibility for damage/injury; possession of a stolen license plate; failure to maintain lane; and violation of probation.

Canady was held on $600,000 bond and he was scheduled to appear Thursday morning in New Britain Superior Court.

Police said, during the investigation, it was learned Canady was arrested by another police agency a week and a half prior for similar stolen vehicle and weapon charges and had been released after posting bond.

Southington police said just after midnight Thursday, they were alerted through FLOCK Automated License Plate Readers that a stolen white Honda Accord was traveling into town via Meriden Waterbury Turnpike.

Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle parked at the Holiday Inn Express hotel at 64 Knotter Drive.

Police said the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Canady, attempted to flee the parking lot as additional marked cruisers approached the entrance.

Canady drove toward arriving units and attempted to swerve around the police vehicles before quickly losing control of his vehicle and becoming disabled on a utility pole guy wire, police said.

According to the SPD, Canady exited the vehicle’s driver’s side door and was observed by officers reaching for his waistband while fleeing on foot eastbound across Knotter Drive.

Police said Southington Police K-9 "Kay: was deployed in the area and apprehended Canady a short distance away.

Officers safely took Canady into custody.

Police searched the area and found a Glock 40 caliber handgun with an extended high-capacity magazine loaded with 33 rounds.

The gun, police said, was discarded in the brush near where Canady was located.

Canady was transported to Southington Police Department headquarters where he was booked.