3 Charged In Shooting, Theft Of Victim’s Vehicle: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a man during a car theft last September in Meriden, according to police.

Police received several calls around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 reporting shots fired on St. Casimer Drive. One caller reported that someone had been shot in the leg, according to police.

Arriving officers found one victim with a gunshot wound to his leg, rendered first aid and secured the scene, police said.

The victim was taken to Mid-State Medical Center and then to Hartford Hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening, according to police.

Police said the victim’s car had been stolen during the assault.

A suspect, Don Drepaul, was identified later in the day and police said he was found in Vernon with the assistance of the Vernon Police Department, Manchester Police Department, and FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.

Drepaul was found in the victim’s stolen motor vehicle, according to police.

Police said a gun and illegal narcotics were found in the car. Drepaul is a convicted felon and isn’t allowed to possess firearms, according to police.

Drepaul was arrested by Vernon police on charges in connection with the stolen vehicle, illegal firearm, and narcotics.

Police said a lengthy investigation involving the Vernon Police Department, New Haven State’s Attorney Office and the Meriden Police Department’s Detective Division resulted in three arrests in connection with the case.

Drepaul, 25, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, theft of a firearm, conspiracy to commit theft of a firearm, larceny of a motor vehicle, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal use of a firearm. He was being held in lieu of a $1.5 million bond in connection with his three active cases, according to police.

Tiffani Mancuso-Masse, 24, was taken into custody April 19 at the Manchester Courthouse when she appeared on an unrelated case, according to police. She was charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, theft of a firearm, conspiracy to commit theft of a firearm, larceny of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle. She was being held in lieu of a $250,000 bond.

Alexavier Delgado, 33, was taken into custody April 25 at the Meriden Courthouse when he appeared on an unrelated case, according to police. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and violation of a protective order. He was being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.