Pursuit Saga Ends With Police Dog Nabbing Drug Supplies In Mansfield

MANSFIELD, CT — State police dog Drago had a paw in the drug-related arrest of a man who has eluded state police for some time.

At 5:39 p.m. on July 24, state troopers noticed a vehicle on Dartmouth Road that has engaged them in pursuits several times over the past two months, according to an arrest report. Troopers stopped and approached the vehicle and and saw drug paraphernalia "in plain view" inside the vehicle, according to an arrest report.

In came state police dog Drago, who then alerted troopers to the presence of narcotics, according to an arrest report.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a digital scale with white residue that tested positive for cocaine, more than $2,500 in cash and a "fake" Arizona registration plate, according to an arrest report.

Rahnda Bakeem Charles, 28, of Windham, was then taken into custody. He was charged with falsifying a registration plate, the improper use of a registration plate, driving without the minimum insurance and the use of drug paraphernalia. He is due in Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 7, records show.