Hartford Man Found With Stolen, Drug-Filled Car In West Hartford: PD

WEST HARTFORD/HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford police this week charged a Hartford man with several drug and theft charges after finding him shopping with a stolen vehicle full of drugs at a local shopping plaza.

The West Hartford Police Department said Wednesday that Benny Goodman, 30, of White Street, Hartford, was charged with operation of a drug factory; possession intent to illegally sell more than one kilogram of cannabis; possession with intent to sell narcotics; possession with intent to sell an illegal hallucinogenic; illegal possession of a cannabis plant greater than 5 ounces; four counts of possession of a controlled substance; risk of injury to a child; misuse of plates; possession of a motor vehicle with a changed identification number; illegal altering of a motor vehicle; larceny of a motor vehicle; and first-degree larceny.

According to online court records, Goodman was released on a $150,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court March 13.

Police said at about 2:39 p.m. Monday, units noticed a "suspicious vehicle" in the area of New Park Avenue and Flatbush Avenue.

The car, a 2023 Acura TLX, had a misused registration plate and police were able to determine it was stolen out of New York City, wrote police in a statement.

West Hartford police took Goodman in custody after he returned to the vehicle while shopping at the Flatbush Plaza.

Police then searched the vehicle and discovered 5.48 pounds of fentanyl pills; 70.5 kilograms of loose fentanyl; 272.15 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms; 4.88 pounds of marijuana; 48.9 grams of suspected Xanax; and 6.7 grams of suspected Oxycodone, according to the WHPD.

In addition, police said they seized $2,892 in cash.

Police said Goodman was with a child, who was a passenger in the car before police taking the suspect into custody, resulting in the risk-of-injury-to-a-child charge.

Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the anonymous, WHPD tip line at 860-570-8968/whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.