Father, Son Arrested After Attempted Traffic Stop In Stratford: Police

STRATFORD, CT — A father and son were arrested Monday after an incident that started with an attempted motor vehicle stop in Stratford, according to police.

The Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Unit tried to stop a black Audi A4 on Bruce Avenue after seeing the driver not wearing a seat belt, failing to signal before making a turn, and failing to display a front registration plate, according to Captain Jerry Pinto.

Pinto said a check of the registration plate, CT AM91832, that was affixed to the rear bumper of the black Audi A4 showed it belonged on a gray Dodge Avenger.

Detectives activated their emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the Audi A4, but Pinto said the driver refused to stop.

Pinto said detectives decided not to pursue the Audi and watched the driver continue to “drive in a reckless manner” into Bridgeport.

“After a brief investigation, conducted with the assistance of a Fairfield Police Department Detective assigned to the Fairfield County Auto Theft Task Force, the black Audi A4 was located parked on Feeley Street in Stratford,” Pinto wrote in a news release. “As Detectives slowly approached the black Audi A4, they noticed a silver Lincoln MKX SUV, parked next to the black Audi A4, begin to drive directly at them.

“At this time, Detectives activated their emergency lights and siren in attempt to stop the silver Lincoln MKX from leaving.”

The driver of the silver Lincoln MKX didn’t stop, but swerved to avoid the detectives’ vehicle, according to Pinto.

Pinto said the detectives immediately recognized that the driver of the silver Lincoln MKX was the same driver of the black Audi A4.

“While the operator of the silver Lincoln MKX managed to swerve around the Stratford Narcotics and Vice Detective’s vehicle, he then struck head-on, the Fairfield County Task Force vehicle which was stopped in the travel portion of the road,” Pinto wrote.

The driver was quickly taken into custody, but not before he was seen reaching beneath the driver’s seat of the Lincoln MKX, according to Pinto.

Pinto said detectives found a loaded Beretta 9mm pistol under the driver’s seat of the Lincoln MKX.

The driver was identified as 20-year-old Josue Manuel Aponte of Derby, according to Pinto.

“A large quantity of illegal marijuana and packaging materials were also located within the interior of the silver Lincoln MKX,” Pinto wrote.

Pinto said Aponte’s father, 42-year-old Josue M. Aponte, lives at the address on Feeley Street where the Audi A4 and Lincoln MKX were parked.

Josue M. Aponte Sr. came out of his home and told detectives that the Beretta 9mm pistol found inside the Lincoln MKX was registered to him, according to Pinto.

Pinto said the Beretta 9mm pistol was eventually confirmed to be registered to Josue M. Aponte Sr. and should not have been in his son’s possession.

Josue Manuel Aponte was arrested and charged with engaging police in pursuit, operating an unregistered vehicle, misuse of registration plates, operating without insurance, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal transfer of firearm, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, operating a drug factory, tampering with physical evidence, and interfering with a police officer. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond with a court date of May 24.

Josue M. Aponte Sr. was wanted by Bridgeport police on a warrant for second-degree failure to appear. He was charged accordingly, and released after posting a $5,000 bond with a court date of May 24, according to Pinto.