SWAT Team Helps Arrest Fugitives In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A SWAT team was deployed to the Rockville section of Vernon Thursday morning to help arrest a pair of fugitives on warrants for a violent incident in North Carolina. The SWAT team was called "because of the crimes involved," and the warrants were "safely served," a police official said.

At about 9:30 a.m., the SWAT team was dispatched to the area of Rau Street, Grand Avenue, Dow Street and Pillsbury Hill, Vernon police spokesman Lt. William Meier said. Residents in those neighborhoods were told to shelter in their basements.

By 10 a.m., the subjects of the warrants — who live on Dow Street — were in custody.

Meier said there was "mix" of children and adults in the residence. A dog was also in the house so an animal control officer was called to the scene.

The shelter order was lifted when the fugitives were taken into custody.

Meier said the SWAT team and police units tried to practice social distancing over coronavirus concerns.

Later on Thursday, Vernon police said they are now working with authorities from North Carolina, who determined that "several fugitives from justice" were staying at 27 Dow St.

The subjects were wanted by North Carolina authorities on felony warrants charging them with an
armed robbery involving a handgun, Meier said.

Vernon Police, working cooperatively with North Carolina authorities, obtained a search warrant for the home on Dow Street. Police then requested the assistance of the Capital Region Emergency Services Team to execute the search warrant and take the suspects into custody.

Arrested were Wardell Sherill, 22, of Charlotte, NC; and Carlos Jimenez, 22, of 27 Dow St., Vernon. Both were charged locally with being fugitives from justice. They were being held on $500,000 bonds Thursday evening and are slated to appear Friday in Hartford Superior Court.

Several adults were detained inside the house as the two were arrested, Meier said. A school-aged child was also present at the home, he added.

Vernon Police Department detectives are continuing to investigate the situation. Anyone with information is being asked to call Detective Tom Van Tasel at 860-872-
9126.