Armed Convicted Felon from Manchester Arrested in Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — Police approached a car containing a sleeping man Tuesday morning, only to find he is a convicted felon in possession of a loaded handgun.

At 5:11 a.m., patrol officers searching for vehicle theft suspects in the area of 175 Kenyon Street observed a vehicle parked on the street with the door open, and inside a man was sleeping. In plain view, officers also observed narcotics, Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said.

Upon exiting the vehicle, the man leaned against the vehicle, causing a loud metal-on-metal thumping sound which revealed he was in possession of some type of metal object. Police safely and tactically secured the suspect without violence, Foley said.

Upon searching for more narcotics and/or weapons, a loaded Taurus 9mm containing seven live rounds was also found to be in the suspect's possession, as well as 35 sleeves of heroin, four small bags of cocaine and two small bags of marijuana. The suspect was arrested without incident, Foley said.

Ehren Cephas, 35, of 341 Center Street, Manchester, was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Cephas is a multiple convicted felon with 23 previous arrests in Hartford.

Photos courtesy of Hartford Police Department