A license plate reader helped police in Southington recover a vehicle that had been stolen in New Hampshire, leading to two arrests.
The stolen Subaru was found in a hotel parking lot on Queen Street on Tuesday around 7:45 p.m. when police followed up on a Flock license plate reader alert connected to an ongoing shoplifting investigation, according to Capt. Nathan Boislard of the Southington Police Department.
Police found that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Claremont, New Hampshire earlier this month. Police there were able to confirm it had been stolen, Boislard said.
Members of the Southington police Special Investigations Unit and patrol officers were able to identify two people allegedly associated with the vehicle through their investigation, which included surveillance, Boislard said. One of them was identified as 37-year-old Tralanda Humphrey of New Britain, who had a felony warrant out for her arrest, according to Boislard.
Humphrey was found in a hotel room and was taken into custody, Boislard said.
According to Boislard, 37-year-old Edwin Navarro of New Britain was also in the room and was taken into custody. He was allegedly found with the keys to the stolen vehicle and tried to hide in the room, Boislard said. Police found that Navarro also had felony warrants out for his arrest, Boislard said.
Both individuals were taken to the Southington Police Department. Humphrey was charged with violation of probation and was held on a $50,000 bond, according to Boislard.
Navarro was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, second-degree larceny and two counts of first-degree failure to appear. He was held on a $200,000 bond.
The stolen Subaru was towed away.
“The Southington Police Department commends the proactive efforts of its officers and the effective use of technology and inter-agency cooperation in removing stolen property and wanted individuals from the community,” Boislard said in a statement.
Police are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the department at 860-378-1600.