Narcotics, Loaded Gun Found In Car Lead To Arrests: Norwalk Police

NORWALK, CT — A driver and passenger who fled from officers twice late Thursday afternoon in Norwalk were arrested after narcotics and a loaded gun were found in their car, according to police.

In a news release, Deputy Police Chief Joe Dinho said officers on patrol in South Norwalk around 4:30 p.m. noticed a minivan fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Merritt and Chestnut streets.

When officers stopped the minivan and approached it on foot, the driver took off and accelerated toward a pedestrian crossing the road, Dinho said.

Police followed and caught up to the fleeing vehicle after the driver was unable to get away due to heavy traffic in the area. Officers again approached the vehicle on foot and noticed the driver and passenger moving around inside before the van drove away again, Dinho said.

Officers again followed the vehicle and were able to stop it on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near West Avenue after the driver again encountered heavy traffic congestion. Officers approached the vehicle a third time, removed the driver and passenger and placed them both in handcuffs, Dinho said.

While checking the minivan for any additional passengers, officers found narcotics packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, a scale and a loaded gun inside. Officers also checked the serial number on the firearm and found it had been reported stolen from Bridgeport, according to Dinho.

The driver, Kevin Davila DeJesus, 25, of Norwalk, was charged with engaging police in pursuit, sale of hallucinogen, illegal possession of a weapon in a vehicle, interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, stealing a firearm, use of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, failure to obey stop sign and possession of a controlled substance (first offense).

The passenger, Christopher Torres, 22, of Bridgeport, was charged with sale of hallucinogen, stealing a firearm, illegal possession of weapon in a vehicle, use of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (first offense).

Both men's bond was set at $250,000 and they are both scheduled to appear in court next month, according to Dinho.