MERIDEN, CT — A convicted felon was arrested on gun and drug charges after trying to flee from officers while they were conducting a search warrant at an apartment in Meriden on Monday, according to police.
The warrant was in connection with an investigation that took place in August when police responded to an apartment complex on the report of a bullet hole in a wall.
Police said the investigation determined that a gun had been discharged from one apartment into another.
The investigation was turned over to members of the Meriden Police Department's Major Crimes Unit (MCU). As a result of the investigation, police said MCU detectives obtained a search-and-seizure warrant for the apartment where the discharge of the firearm was believed to have originated.
The occupant of the apartment was identified as Joshua Kelly, who police said was also found to have an active arrest warrant issued by the Middletown Police Department.
Members of the Meriden Police Department's SWAT Team, Crime Suppression Unit, and Major Crimes Unit, along with members of the Middletown Police Department, assisted with the investigation and the service of the search warrant, according to police.
"As officers arrived in the area, Kelly, who was standing in the apartment parking lot, fled on foot," police wrote in a news release. "During the foot pursuit, Kelly discarded a crossbody bag. Kelly was quickly apprehended.
"The crossbody bag was recovered and found to contain a stolen firearm, a high-capacity magazine, approximately 5 grams of fentanyl, and approximately 54 grams of crack/cocaine."
Kelly is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms, according to police.
Kelly was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, theft of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a high-capacity magazine, and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. He was held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
"The Meriden Police Department will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who illegally possess firearms or distribute narcotics in our community," police wrote. "Our residents and visitors deserve to feel safe, and we will use every available resource to ensure that happens.
"The City of Meriden is proud to be served by some of the finest law enforcement officers in the State of Connecticut. Their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public safety are reflected in the work they perform each day to protect our community.
"If you come to the City of Meriden to commit crimes or endanger the public, you will be apprehended and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
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