Shooting Suspect Who Led Police On Chase In West Hartford Charged

VERNON, CT — Vernon police Monday took into custody a man suspected of firing off a gun there and in New Britain and then leading Newington police on a chase that sped through West Hartford.

Alexander Hernandez, 21, of New Britain, was turned over to Vernon police Monday by authorities in Massachusetts after waiving extradition.

Hernandez has been charged in Vernon with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit second-degree assault with a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct.

Hernandez was held in lieu of a$350,000 court set-bond overnight Monday into Tuesday and he was to appear in Rockville Superior Court Tuesday.

According to a warrant, residents told police they heard three people arguing on Village Street in Vernon at 12:41 a.m. on Dec. 29. Witnesses then heard shots being fired and people fleeing the area in a car, according to a warrant.

Hernandez was determined to be connected to that shooting and a similar incident in New Britain, according to police. He was also connected to a stolen Mitsubishi Lancer being sought by Newington police and present at the Vernon and New Britain incidents, police records show.

Later on Dec, 29, Newington police attempted to stop the Lancer and it led to a pursuit that sped into West Hartford, back into Newington onto the Berlin Turnpike, then northbound on the connector to I-84 west.

Once on I-84, Newington officers were joined by the Connecticut State Police and Newington officers observed an item thrown from the Mitsubishi Lancer that turned out to be a gun.

The Lancer then headed into Massachusetts, where Massachusetts State Troopers deployed stop sticks that forced the car to come to a final rest in that state, according to police records.

Hernandez was taken into custody by Massachusetts authorities without further incident and no one was hurt as a result of the pursuit, police said.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Vernon Police at 860-872-9126.