Stratford police began investigating a fraudulent car sales scheme in early November 2024 after receiving an anonymous tip about a suspect, later identified as O’Neil. According to officials, O’Neil had been altering bills of sale and other documents to illegally sell vehicles on Facebook.
By December 3, detectives executed two search warrants, gaining access to O’Neil’s Stratford High School computers and a 2023 Jeep Wrangler. On December 6, additional evidence was seized, prompting the issuance of a felony arrest warrant for O’Neil.
On January 1, O’Neil was apprehended by Customs and Border agents in New York, who confirmed he was wanted by the Stratford Police Department. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice and later transferred to the Rykers Island Detention Center in New York, where he awaited extradition to Connecticut.
On January 8, Stratford police officially charged O’Neil with second-degree forgery, third-degree identity theft, and illegal operation of a repair business without a license. His bond was set at $75,000, and he faced a court date on January 16.
