Tolland DUI Suspect Accused Of 'Stealing' Back His Impounded Truck

TOLLAND, CT — A Tolland man who was the subject of a drunken driving investigation is also accused to "stealing" back his vehicle while it was impounded, state police said.

On Sunday, 46-year-old Tolland resident Michael Leclair was arrested on one warrant for driving under the influence, interfering with police and failure to carry a driver's license, state police said. On a second warrant, he was charged with first-degree larceny.

The arrest stems from an Aug. 31 incident, according to the warrants. At 2:16 p.m. that day, moments after receiving an alert about a blue Ford F-150 truck being driven erratically, a state trooper saw the vehicle tailgating another on Route 30 and then turn into a business lot near the Kingsbury Avenue intersection.

The driver's side door flew open as the truck came to a stop and the driver, identified as Leclaire, began walking away, seemingly in an effort to avoid police questioning, according to warrants.

He refused to identify himself and showed multiple signs of impairment, according to warrants. He then was uncooperative over sobriety tests and was taken to an area hospital, according to warrants.

The truck was towed and Leclaire was notified that a 48-hour hold was in place for evidence purposes, according to a warrant.

At 5:33 p.m., Leclair went to Bill's Auto in Tolland, took the truck and sped away on Route 74 toward the Tolland Green at a high rate of speed, according to warrants. State police then tracked down the truck and Leclaire.