2 Arrested After Wild, Multi-Town Police Chase

SOMERS, CT — Two men were arrested after a wild chase through several towns and two states early Friday morning.

And the whole thing started with a traffic violation, state police said.

On Thursday night into early Friday morning, Trooper Kyle Kaelberer of Troop C in Tolland was on a traffic enforcement/drunken driving detail in the area of Rt. 190 and Maple Street in Somers, state police said. At 1:38 a.m., Kaelberer observed a gold Nissan Altima traveling east on Route 190, cross the double yellow line.

As he activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicle sped away and a pursuit ensued, state police said.

The chase was called off after troopers obtained had a matching registration on the vehicle with the owner's information, state police said. The car was reported stolen out of New Britain, state police said.

A short time later, another trooper observed the same vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Route 190. Troopers again attempted to stop the vehicle as it fled north onto Route 83 in Somers, state police said.

The vehicle attempted to elude Troopers on several back roads before entering East Longmeadow, MA, state police said.

East Longmeadow Police then pursued the vehicle into Springfield and Springfield Police attempted to stop the vehicle but lost sight of it on city streets, state police said. A short time later, Massachusetts State Police located the vehicle on I-91 south and attempted to stop it, according to a report.

As the vehicle came back into Connecticut and state police from Troop H-Hartford attempted to utilize stop sticks to stop the fleeing vehicle, however the vehicle was able to avoid them.

The vehicle then exited the highway at exit 47E in Enfield and Enfield Police pursued the vehicle on Route 190, state police said.

As the vehicle approached the Somers town line, state police from Troop C re-engaged the vehicle in a chase, according to a report.

As the vehicle again headed east on Rt. 190 approaching the Stafford town line, Trooper Kaelberer attempted to box in the vehicle to end the pursuit.

As the vehicle was boxed in, it rammed the back of the his Dodge Charger, causing minor damage, state police said. A second cruiser sustained minor front end damage, state police said.

The Altima came to a stop and two of the occupants fled from the vehicle on foot, state police said. The driver, later identified as Alfredo Claudio, 42, of Hartford, was quickly apprehended by state police, according to a report.

A passenger, Hector Arocho, 37, of New Britain, was captured when troopers used a Taser as after he failed to comply with commands and attempted to flee, state police said.

Troopers located a loaded .38 special revolver in the vehicle along with oxycodone pills, and Fentanyl, according to a report.

A third passenger was released at the scene, state police said.

During the pursuit, Arocho attempted to report the vehicle stolen to New Britain Police, state police said. Arocho was charged with interfering with an officer and criminal attempt to falsely report an incident and was held on a $10,000 surety bond, state police said.

Claudio was charged with criminal possession of a pistol, criminal attempt at second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, second-degree reckless endangerment, assault on a public safety officer, carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of narcotics, engaging police in a pursuit and additional motor vehicle violations, state police said.

Claudio was held on a $100,000 bond, state police said.

Both were to to appear on Rockville Superior Court on Friday, state police said.

Photo Credit: CSP