Branford Man - Multi-State Fugitive - Arrested In East Haven: PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — A Branford man, who is a multi-state fugitive, was arrested inside a stolen truck and possessed several bags of crack cocaine and marijuana, East Haven Police said. Police also found the accused in possession of a large amount of valuable collectible items believed to be a result of a multi-state crime spree, police said.

Police Lt. Joseph M. Murgo said a multi-state fugitive identified as Eric Kousen, 28, of Pentecost Street in Branford, was apprehended after a Comcast employee called in an unconscious motorist who was pulled over on a side street in a stolen truck.

On Thursday at 3:54 p.m. officers responded to Silver Sands and Brazos roads for a report of an unconscious male pulled over in a white pickup truck. Upon officers arrival, they located Kousen asleep behind the wheel of a 2018 GMC Sierra, police said.

The vehicle was backed into a dirt lot on Brazos Road. Once officers made contact with Kousen, they observed several bags of suspected crack cocaine and other drug paraphernalia in plain view, police said.

Kousen awoke a short time later to East Haven Fire Department treating him for a possible medical issue. Once it was determined that Kousen was only sleeping, he was removed from the vehicle and detained, police said.

Further search of the vehicle revealed 5 bags of suspected crack cocaine, 2 bags of suspected marijuana, a bag of suspected powder cocaine, and a large amount of valuable collectible items believed to be "fruits of a multi-state crime spree," police said. There were also several burglary tools scattered throughout the vehicle, police said.

Upon checking Kousen for warrants, it was determined that he had five active arrest warrants throughout the state and it was later determined that he is a suspect in several commercial burglaries in Connecticut and Massachusetts as well, Murgo said.

The vehicle Kousen was in, a white 2018 GMC Sierra had been reported stolen out of Guilford on Nov. 24, police said.

Kousen was charged with the following:

· Larceny in the First Degree

· Possession of Narcotics/Controlled Substance

· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

· Possession of Less Than 1 oz. of Marijuana

Kousen was held on a $10,000 bond and faced a judge earlier this morning. Any agencies with recent unsolved commercial burglaries are urged to contact EHPD detectives at 203-468-3827, as some of the evidence located may be relevant to their cases.

Photo via EH Police