Routine Traffic Stop Turns Into Foot Chase In Berlin: Police

BERLIN/HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man remains in custody after a weekend incident in which he fled Berlin police on foot at a local Dunkin Donuts before facing weapons/motor vehicle charges.

The Berlin Police Department said Thursday that Pedro Santana, 20, of Barker Street, Hartford, has been charged with weapons in a motor vehicle; possession of a stolen firearm; carrying a pistol without a permit; interfering with an officer; improper use of marker plates; failure to display plates; and failure to insure a motor vehicle.

Police said he was charged and originally held on $100,000 bond before being arraigned in New Britain Superior Court Monday, March 3.

According to online court records, Santana is now being held on $130,000 bond and he will next appear in court on April 23.

Police said at about 8:24 a.m. Sunday, March 2, officers stopped Santana for a traffic stop regarding registration issues with the vehicle.

According to the BPD, Santana pulled into the parking lot of a Dunkin Donuts on the Berlin Turnpike.

That's where, police said, Santana exited the vehicle and "became uncooperative with the officer's commands."

When police tried to detain him, Santana fled on foot toward nearby Route 9, the BPD said.

Police said Santana was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, with a stolen gun found on the driver's seat of Santana's vehicle.