STATE OF CONNECTICUT Department of Public Safety 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, Connecticut 06457	Contact:  860-685-8230 pio.dps@po.state.ct.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2010

STATE POLICE AUTO THEFT UNIT, LOCAL AGENCIES,

MAKE ARREST IN THEFT OF

CONSTRUCTION/LANDSCAPE TRAILERS

The Connecticut State Police Auto Theft Unit, in collaboration with the Berlin and Hartford police departments and with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, arrested a man following a six-month investigation into the thefts of construction trailers in the Hartford area.

Numerous construction and landscape trailers were stolen, totaling $100,000 in value. The accused was reportedly stealing the trailers during the past year, altering their appearance and identification numbers and reselling them through a website.

The collaboration of these law enforcement resources led to the identification and arrest of the accused and the recovery of some of the equipment.  This investigation is continuing.

Accused: 

Christopher Santeree, DOB 12/23/1985

            491 Lower Lane, Berlin

Charges:

            One count each of 2^nd degree , 3^rd degree and 4^th degree larceny

            2^nd degree criminal trover

            Tampering with a VIN label

            Using a motor vehicle without permission by fraud

Santeree was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Court GS #15 on Oct. 13.

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