During Weekend 'Crime Suppression' Action, East Haven Police With DEA, FBI Task Forces, Make Arrests: EHPD

EAST HAVEN, CT—Several arrests were made over the weekend as a result of a proactive crime suppression detail focused on community and neighborhood quality-of-life concerns, East Haven police spokesperson Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

The detail, led by Lt. Kevin Klarman, included the police department's Investigative Services Division, Patrol Division, and K9 unit. Also included were the DEA Task Force and FBI Task Force, all working to "target specific areas and complaints to identify criminal activity, address ongoing concerns, and improve the overall quality of life for residents," Murgo said.

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Juvenile charged in stolen car incident

At around 9 p.m. last Saturday night, officers were called to Old Foxon Road for a report of "someone in the area attempting to steal a silver vehicle," Murdo said.

While en route, EHPD officer Sean Halligan saw a silver vehicle, later determined to be a stolen Hyundai, driving recklessly in front of him on Foxon Road,' Murgo said.

Halligan initiated a car stop, but the driver ignored the "signal to stop."

Police said the driver "fled at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a vehicle in front of him in the area of Foxon Road and Eastern Street."

Murgo described the incident: "The collision damaged the fleeing vehicle’s tires, allowing officers to follow a trail of burnt rubber up Eastern Street to the dead end of Venice Place, where they located the operator of the stolen vehicle, who was wearing a ski mask. The operator managed to elude officers and continued back on to Laurel Street. At this point, the stolen vehicle, which was riding on its rims, fled to an apartment complex in the 200 block of Laurel Street. The operator exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot into a marsh."

The police working the Crime Suppression Detail responded, Murgo said, and "with the assistance of K9 officer Donato Palma, his K9 partner Enzo along with an EHPD drone operated by Halligan, a juvenile was located hiding in the marsh and was successfully taken into custody without further incident."

The boy was charged with:

• Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, C.G.S. 53a-119c
• Criminal Trover in the First Degree, C.G.S. 53a-126a
• Engaging Police in Pursuit, C.G.S. 14-223b
• Interfering with an Officer / Arrest, C.G.S. 53a-167
• Reckless Driving, C.G.S. 14-222(a)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle w/o a License, C.G.S. 14-36(a)

Released to the custody of a guardian, the teen appeared in New Haven Juvenile Court Monday.

Car stop led to firearm discovery

Hours later, just before 2 a.m., during the same detail, officers assigned to monitor local bars at closing time due to a recent "increase in fights and related disturbances" saw a black Audi occupied by several individuals.

"After observing multiple motor vehicle violations, officers initiated a traffic stop. K9 Officer Stephen Marsico and his partner, K9 Mack, conducted an exterior free-air sniff of the vehicle, which indicated the presence of narcotic odor," Murgo said. "Officers then removed all occupants and conducted a more thorough search of the vehicle," the police captain noted. "Once officers got to the trunk, they located a loaded Springfield XD40 semi-automatic handgun with a large-capacity magazine."

The driver and registered owner of the vehicle, identified as Miguel Torres, 41, of New Haven, was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with:

• Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle, C.G.S. 29-38
• Illegal Sale, Purchase, or Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, C.G.S. 53-202w(b1)
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm, C.G.S. 53a-217
• Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit, C.G.S. 29-35(a)(1)
• Failure to Display Number Plates, C.G.S. 14-18(a)
• Tinted Windows, C.G.S. 14-99g(b)
• Improper Muffler, C.G.S. 14-80(b)

Torres was released on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 29.

Murgo said the East Haven Police Department "remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts that protect our residents and preserve the quality of life in this community."

"Our officers will continue to take swift and deliberate action to address criminal activity," he said, "and keep East Haven a safe place to live, work, and visit."