West Hartford Man Busted for Coke After Nearly Taking Out Highway Sign

TOLLAND, CT — A man who nearly took out an Exit sign on I-84 was eventually taken out of his car and arrested for cocaine-related crimes, state police said.

At 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, troopers from the Troop C barracks Tolland were in the midst of a traffic detail on the Interstate-84 eastbound lanes when they observed a vehicle make an unsafe passing maneuver, cut across three lanes of traffic and cut in between two vehicles before nearly striking the Exit 68 sign in the gore while trying to exit the highway, according to a report.

Troopers stopped the vehicle, and upon speaking with the operator observed loose cash and several cell phones inside the vehicle.

As troopers continued to speak with the operator, identified as Aldo Elescano 41, of West Hartford, they observed "several indicators of criminal activity," according to a report.

For example, the phones were ringing and receiving text messages constantly, according to state police.

Troopers called requested a dog trained in narcotic detection dog and Willimantic police with Sasha responded to the scene, according to a report. Sasha indicated the presence of narcotics where Elescano was seated, state police said.

State police then discovered approximately 11.4 grams of cocaine powder on Elescano packaged for sale in 16 individual bags.

Elescano, of 41 Mozart St., West Hartford, was taken into custody and transported to Troop C, where was charged with unsafe passing/cutting in, not having a front license plate, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to sell, according to a report.

Elescano was held on a $25,000 cash/surety bond and was to appear in court on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: CSP