Hamden Police Dog Hank Tracks Stolen Car Suspect

A Waterbury man is facing larceny charges after he allegedly led police in a chase while driving a stolen car early Friday morning.

At about 1:30 a.m., Officer Eric Hallstrom of the Hamden Police Department saw a stolen car traveling south on Whitney Avenue and subsequently stopped the vehicle, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

When Hallstrom approaching the car, the driver took off at a high rate of speed, Smith said. Officers deployed “stop sticks” at the intersection of Whitney and Dixwell avenues, where the stop sticks successfully deflated two tires on the stolen vehicle, Smith said.

The car eventually came to a stop in the vicinity of the 1300 block of Whitney Avenue and the 2 occupants took off on foot into a wooded area, Smith said. Officer Michael Nawrocki, and his K-9 partner “Hank” conducted a track and located the operator, Victor Homedo, 23, of 96 Sylvan Ave., Waterbury, Smith said, while the other occupant was not located.

Homedo was charged with third-degree larceny, interfering with a police officer, reckless driving and engaging in pursuit. He was held in lieu of $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 11.