05-03-2025
Car stolen in NYC recovered in West Hartford, leading to an arrest and alleged discovery of drugs
A car stolen in New York City was recovered by police in West Hartford on Monday, leading to the alleged discovery of several types of narcotics and one arrest.
The vehicle, a 2023 Acura TLX, was spotted at 2:39 p.m. in the area of New Park Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, according to Capt. Aaron Vafiades of the West Hartford Police Department.
The car allegedly had the wrong registration plate on it and was found to have been stolen from New York City after it was spotted by the department's Community Support Unit, Vafiades said. The driver was detained as he returned to the vehicle after shopping in the Flatbush plaza. According to Vafiades, he was identified as 30-year-old Benny Goodman of Hartford. Vafiades also said there was a child in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up about 5.48 pounds of fentanyl pills, 70.5 grams of loose fentanyl, 272.15 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 4.88 lbs of marijuana, 48.9 grams of suspected Xanax and 6.7 grams of suspected Oxycodone, Vafiades said. Investigators also allegedly seized $2,892.
Goodman was arrested on four counts of possession of a controlled substance and a single count each of operation of a drug factory, possession with intent to sell over one kilogram of cannabis, possession with intent to sell a narcotic, possession with intent to sell of a hallucinogenic, possession of a cannabis plant material over five ounces, risk of injury to a child, larceny of a motor vehicle, first-degree larceny and multiple motor vehicle related offenses.
Police are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the police department at 860-523-5203. Information can be left anonymously at the department's tip line at 860- 570-8969 or whpdtips@
