Crime & Safety

Police Nab Alleged Clinton Car Thief

24-year-old Dajun Hammie of New Haven faces a total of 26 charges stemming from car break-ins and vehicle thefts that took place in Clinton back in 2012. Police say he and another suspect "stole money, electronics, credit cards and personal items."

On July 10Dajun Hammie, 24, of 258 Winthrop Ave. New Haven, Ct., was arrested by warrant at Middletown Superior Court, according to Clinton Police. Hammie was charged with: 

  • 19 counts of burglary 3rd. from a motor vehicle
  • 2 counts of Larceny 2nd. theft of a motor vehicle
  • 2 counts Larceny 5th.
  • 2 counts Conspiracy to commit Larceny.

Two warrants were issued by the court for the crimes which occurred in Clinton on the nights of November 19, 2012 and December 7, 2012, police say. According to police, this arrest is the result of a six month long investigation by Det. Pellegrini and Ofc. Matthew Reed.

Police said in a press release the case stems from a series of vehicles broken into on both nights in town. "The suspects stole money, electronics, credit cards and personal items," the press release stated. On each night, a vehicle was also stolen from Clinton and each vehicle was later recovered in the New Haven area.

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"After one of the stolen vehicles was recovered, Det. Pellegrini located a pre-paid phone with no identifying information that was left behind in one of the vehicles," the press release states. "Det. Pellegrini  tracked the numbers called and received on the phone.  Through the phone numbers on the phone he was able to identify owners of the numbers who identified the owner and a street name of one of the offenders, Dajun Hammie. Pellegrini then utilized social media to aid in further identifying this offender."

Police say that video and receipts of the suspects using stolen credit cards from vehicles broken into in Clinton were also seized and reviewed. Once the suspects were identified by name the video and receipts, this aided in further identifying the suspects, according to police. 

Find out what's happening in Clintonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Det. Pellegrini was able to identify the suspects and determined both were currently being held on unrelated charges with the department of corrections, police say.

As a result, two arrest warrants were issued for Hammie and two are pending for the second offender. According to police, "this crime would not have been solved if not for the commendable work completed by the investigating officers."


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