Early Morning Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest Of Man Involved In ’93 Killings

New Hartford, NY (WIBX) - An early morning traffic stop lead to the arrest of a Utica man known to law enforcement officials. According to Utica Police, 38-year old David Benner was pulled over at the intersection of Hobart and Kemble Street around 1:30 this morning.

Police say they arrested Benner for drug related offenses but also discovered that he had an active bench warrant out for his arrest for robbery from the Town of New Hartford. Benner was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, and for violating a public health law; he is also facing a charge of Controlled Substance not in its Original Container.

Benner is no stranger to the justice system--he was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in the 1993 killings of two men at a North Utica Dry Cleaners whose burned bodies were discovered in the trunk of a car at Riverside Mall.

Benner had an active bench warrant out for his arrest after he was charged with robbery, obstruction and harassment in December 2010, after police say he forced his way into a home in New Hartford and stole a ring from the resident's finger. Police characterized that  incident as a domestic dispute.