Three Arrested During Illegal Gun Transaction in Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — An attempted sale of illegal firearms, including a shotgun which had been stolen last month in Suffield, was interrupted by detectives from the Hartford Police Department vice and narcotics unit, resulting in the arrests of three Hartford men Monday.

Detectives conducting surveillance on a suspect who was involved in an illegal firearms exchange and sale by a convicted felon received confidential information that the gun exchange was to occur in the area of Wayland Street. Detectives established surveillance and observed the suspects engaging in the illegal transaction, Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said.

When the deal was completed, a felony motor vehicle stop was initiated on Airport Road. The suspect vehicle fled, but was partially disabled by a deployed StopStick. Two firearms were thrown from the suspect vehicle, but were recovered and the suspects were taken into custody on Wawarme Avenue when the vehicle became immobile. A shotgun was also recovered, Foley said.

Three suspects, two of whom are convicted felons, with one being recently arrested for a separate weapons possession incident, were subsequently charged with multiple weapons violations. Additionally, one of the suspects was charged for narcotics possession and sales related violations.

• Jayvian Rodriguez, 20, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit (two counts), criminal possession of a pistol/revolver (two counts), weapons in a motor vehicle (two counts), sale of a long gun, conspiracy to commit sale of a long gun, interfering with police, failure to obey officer's signal, first-degree reckless endangerment, operating with a suspended license, reckless driving and improper registration plates.
• Luis Diaz, 19, was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle (two counts), carrying a pistol without a permit (two counts), possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
• Nadiel Rodriguez, 23, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm (two counts), carrying a pistol without a permit (two counts), weapons in a motor vehicle (two counts), sale of a long gun and conspiracy to commit sale of a long gun.

Evidence recovered included a Ruger SR9 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 caliber revolver, a stolen Remington Model 870 12 gauge shotgun, 97 additional 12 gauge ammo, 43 additional .38 special ammo, seven bags of cocaine, a bag of marijuana and an undisclosed amount of cash, Foley said.

Photos courtesy of Hartford Police Department