Vernon Man Took Car For 'Drug Binge,' Warrant Says

VERNON, CT — A man who had been living in a home designed to help struggling veterans is accused of stealing his girlfriend's car and then embarking an "an extended drug binge" the area, according to an arrest warrant.

Michael Mack, 53, was arrested Tuesday for second-degree larceny, according to an arrest warrant. He had been living at 1 Ellington Ave. at the time of the incident, which began on April 29 and extended into May, according to an arrest warrant. The home is the old Phelps Mansion in Rockville that has been converted into Veterans housing.

Mack's address is listed as 33 Windermere Ave. on an arrest report from Tuesday.

According to an arrest warrant, Mack borrowed his girlfriend's car at the Phelps Mansion on April 29. Several attempts by her to get it back failed, according to an arrest warrant.

At first, Mack said he was at the Bristol Home Depot buying a tape measure for a painting project at his mother's house. He then said the car was stolen from the parking lot, according to an arrest warrant.

Mack is referred to in n arrest warrant as a know drug user who has a criminal history that includes drugs, sexual assault, car theft, assault on police officers, taking cars without permission and criminal impersonation, according to an arrest a warrant.

He is currently on probation for drug sales, according to an arrest warrant.

After the Home Depot story, Mack later referred to driving around in the car with a known Hartford drug dealer named "Twan," who had no car and needed to make deliveries. Police questioned him about trading the car for drugs.

The vehicle, a 2016 Mitsubishi valued at $16,850, was never returned, according to an arrest warrant.

Mack is being held in a $65,000 and is due in court on July 5, according to arrest records.

Photo Credit: Vernon police