Stamford Police Recover Stolen Car as Victim Realizes it's Stolen

An observant police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked on Lindale Street as he was traveling throughout the city, so he decided to take a closer look, authorities reported Tuesday morning. 

Police didn't say what initially sparked the arresting officer's curiosity, but upon further investigation, police allege they found Phillip Renard, 18, of the 100 block of Custer Street, "slouched over, in a daze," in the front seat of the vehicle.

His hand was up in the air, authorities reported.

After an initial period of the suspect being unresponsive, police were able to discern the male believed he was heading to New York, they said.

As police ran the suspect's license and the vehicle plates, they say they made two discoveries. First, Renard was allegedly operating the vehicle without a valid license. Second, dispatch informed the officer the car had just been reported stolen, police explained. 

The car had reportedly been stolen from in front of a Dunkin Donuts right around the time the stop occurred, authorities said. No reported had even been filed yet for the stolen vehicle. 

Renard faces motor vehicle-related offenses of burglary and larceny, and operating the vehicle without a license.