West Hartford Police Charge Man Delivering Chinese Food in Stolen Car

West Hartford Police and Hartford Police tracked down a man they said had stolen a car from a Chinese restaurant delivery man outside Bristow Middle School Friday, after the alleged thief continued to deliver orders to the restaurant's customers.

Keith Hinds, of 774 Tower Ave., Hartford, and the stolen vehicle, were taken into custody by Hartford Police outside 55 Farmington Ave. in Hartford. According to West Hartford Police, Hinds was delivering an order of Chinese food to a customer at the time of his arrest.

Police said that the vehicle was originally reported as stolen by the owner who had left it idling outside Bristow Middle School. According to police, the vehicle owner called his boss at the restaurant so that the remaining customers could be informed that their orders were stolen along with the car.

However, police said, the driver was informed by the restaurant that one of the orders had been delivered after the theft, "presumably by the car thief," they said.

West Hartford Police said they notified Hartford Police of the incident because the remaining two deliveries were supposed to be made in Hartford. A short time later, they said, Hartford Police found the vehicle and apprehended the suspect.

According to police, Hinds was allegedly pocketing the money he received from the food deliveries he made in the stolen delivery car.

Police said that a search of Hinds also revealed "a crack pipe, a joint and some Seraquil in a bag."

Hinds has been charged with third-degree larceny 3, possession of less than 1/2 oz. marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to keep drugs in original container.

He is being held on $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Police said that the vehicle was returned to the owner.