DERBY — Local authorities have charged 39-year-old LeJon Coombs with felony car theft after he was found driving an Audi SUV reported stolen from Connecticut.
Coombs, after his arrest, appeared in court to plead innocent to the charge. Judge Kline subsequently released him on a $1,000 unsecured appearance bond.
The chain of events began when Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Cotnoir was informed about a missing dark-colored Audi SUV from Connecticut potentially located in the Orleans County vicinity.
The vehicle was reported stolen on July 19, by a woman in Hartford, CT.
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Wilda tipped off Deputy Cotnoir about the vehicle on July 31, stating it was being operated by an unidentified man.
Just 20 minutes later Deputy Cotnoir spotted the described Audi SUV on Route 5 in Derby. He swiftly verified its Connecticut license plates and arrested Coombs in the parking lot of Thompson’s Redemption.
During the arrest, Deputy Cotnoir discovered two large knives on Coombs.
When questioned about the vehicle’s ownership, Coombs initially asserted it belonged to his aunt and claimed he was performing maintenance on the car for her. However, under further inquiry, he conceded the woman wasn’t actually his aunt but someone dating his cousin.
When probed for names, Coombs could only offer the first name of his cousin, “Johnny,” without providing a last name.
Investigations revealed it was the same vehicle driven by Coombs.
