Rental Car Dispute Leads To Pursuit, Arrests: Naugatuck Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A rental car dispute escalated into a pursuit and culminated in arrests and a disturbance at the Naugatuck Police Department last week, according to police.

In a news release, Naugatuck police said James Hughes, 23, of Waterbury, rented a 2020 Honda Civic earlier this month from an unlicensed car rental business in Waterbury.

The car in question became the center of a dispute when the car rental business owner, Salvador Williams, 38, of Cheshire, reported non-payment and that the vehicle had not been returned, according to police.

On Friday, Williams, along with Jasmine Vargas, 35, of Cheshire, and Nicky Grav, 18, of Cheshire, pursued the Honda in a BMW through Waterbury and onto Route 8 northbound into Torrington, police said.

According to police, a confrontation that allegedly involved a firearm occurred in Torrington, prompting involvement from Torrington police.

The pursuit continued onto Route 8 southbound until Connecticut State Police Troop B intercepted the Honda, however the pursuit was ultimately terminated, according to police.

The BMW continued to pursue the Honda until both vehicles reached the Naugatuck Police Department, where another confrontation took place, police said.

At police headquarters, Hughes reported being carjacked and said the trio fired rounds at him, however a subsequent police investigation revealed inconsistencies in Hughes' account, according to police.

State police issued Hughes a misdemeanor summons for motor vehicle and criminal charges related to the pursuit on Route 8. Hughes was also arrested by Naugatuck police on charges of interfering with an officer, breach of peace, false reporting of an incident and operating under suspension, police said.

Vargas, Grav, and Williams were all charged with breach of peace and released on non-surety bonds. They are scheduled to appear in court next month, according to police.

"The incident, marked by its unusual nature and complex events, highlights law enforcement's challenges in deciphering conflicting accounts," police said in a news release. "Thankfully no one was injured in this incident and the investigation concluded with arrests and court dates set for the individuals involved."