Man Accused Of Selling Stolen Vehicles To Unsuspecting Stratford Residents: PD

STRATFORD, CT — Police say a Seymour resident sold stolen vehicles on the internet to local residents, who believed they were making legitimate purchases from the vehicles’ rightful owner.

Tyrone Purcell, 30, of 24 Silvermine Rd., Seymour, surrendered to Stratford police on Friday and faces multiple counts for the stolen vehicle scam, police said.

Police Captain Jerry Pinto said police received two separate complaints from residents in March 2025.

Both victims reported they had bought used vehicles for about $12,000 on the internet. One victim had used Craigslist, while the other used Facebook. Both vehicles turned out to be stolen, police said.

Police determined the cases were related because the circumstances and description of the suspect were similar, according to Pinto.

Detective Jay Delauri’s investigation included executing five search warrants, which led to an arrest warrant being issued for Purcell, police said.

Purcell is charged with three counts of first-degree forgery, two counts of identity theft, two counts of second-degree larceny, two counts of second-degree forgery, and illegal possession of a license with a changed ID number.

According to police, Purcell is a convicted felon with prior convictions for firearms possession.

Purcell is free after posting $75,000 bail, and he is due to appear in Superior Court on Aug. 8.