Troopers Nab Weapons, Drugs in I-84 Stop

TOLLAND/VERNON, CT — A speeding incident on Interstate-84 Tuesday night led to state police seizing weapons from a Vermont man.

State police announced the arrest on Thursday.

At 9:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Trooper Kyle Kaelberer of Troop C in Tolland was conducting speed enforcement in his assigned, unmarked Dodge Charger, a report indicates.

He observed a Subaru with Vermont plates speeding in the area of Exit 67 on I-84 in Vernon, state police said. The car was then clocked at 89 mph in the posted 65 mph zone with a laser unit, state police said.

The vehicle was subsequently stopped as it exited the highway at Exit 68 in Tolland and, upon speaking with the driver, Kaelberer began to suspect the vehicle contained "contraband," a report indicates.

The operator, identified as Wesley Keane of Charlotte, VT, was requested to exit the car, and subsequently was found to be in possession of brass knuckles, according to a report.

Troopers then requested consent to search the vehicle, which Keane granted, according to a report. During the search, troopers located drug paraphernalia and packing materials as well a Smith and Wesson .40-cal handgun with four, 14-round magazines, two of which were loaded with ammunition, according to a report.

Troopers also located approximately 5 grams of a "synthetic canabanoid," a report indicates.

Keane did not hold a gun permit in Connecticut and was not authorized to carry the hi-capacity magazines, state police said.

Keane was arrested for carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of high-capacity magazine, having a weapon in a motor vehicle, reckless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Troop C and he was released on a $10,000 bond, according to a report.

Keane is due to appear in Rockville Superior Court on June 26, state police said.

Photo Credit: CSP