Colchester Man Accused of Placing GPS Tracking Device on Vehicle

On 07/20/2026, a complainant contacted the Colchester Police Department to report an individual who had entered onto their property overnight and appeared to be tampering with the complainant’s vehicle. The complainant provided investigating officers with security camera footage of the alleged incident.

Upon examining the corresponding footage, investigators observed an individual crawling on their hands and knees toward the complainant’s parked vehicle. This individual was observed laying down on the ground and reaching underneath the bumper area of the complainant’s vehicle. While reaching underneath the vehicle, the accused individual appeared to notice the nearby security camera mounted on the complainant’s garage and then fled from the area.

The complainant further explained that they recognized the person depicted in the security footage to be Joseph Sanchez, DOB 04/17/1985, with whom they had previously been in a dating relationship. During the investigation, investigators obtained a driver’s license photo of Joseph Sanchez and determined that Sanchez’s physical characteristics were consistent with those of the person depicted in the footage.

Investigators then examined the complainant’s vehicle and located a small round magnetic object attached to the area near the vehicle’s bumper, consistent with the location the accused individual was seen reaching toward on the security camera footage. Upon examining the object, it was recognized to be a magnetic GPS tracking device, which was subsequently seized as evidence.

The complainant went on to explain that despite advising Sanchez that they did not want to be in contact with him anymore, Sanchez would frequently call and leave voicemail messages. Additionally, the complainant explained that Sanchez had been observed in the area of the complainant’s home on other occasions, and described having proactively taken steps to avoid both contact and communication with him.

Based upon the facts and circumstances related to this investigation, an affidavit for the arrest of Joseph Sanchez was submitted to, and subsequently approved by, the court on 07/21/2026.

On 07/22/2026, Colchester Officers made contact with Joseph Sanchez at his residence located at 16 Meadow Drive, Apt #3, in Colchester, and served the active arrest warrant, taking him into custody without incident. Sanchez was then transported to Troop K in Colchester, where he was processed without incident and charged with the following:

C.G.S. 53a-181f, Electronic Stalking

Following arrest processing, Sanchez was released on a court-set, $15,000 non-surety bond and was scheduled for arraignment on 07/23/2026, at GA #21, Norwich Superior Court.

Joseph W. Sanchez, DOB 04/17/1985