2 Arrested On Gun, Drug Charges After Chase In West Haven: Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — Two people were arrested on gun and drug charges after a chase where police used “stop sticks” on an eluding vehicle Saturday in West Haven, according to officials.

Police said a patrol officer was alerted by a resident around 5:15 p.m. on March 30 of a silver Audi that was speeding through several intersections and was “completely disregarding several stop signs.”

The driver didn’t pull over and sped away from the officer and tried to elude police toward New Haven, according to police.

A second officer was “preemptively positioned nearby and deployed ‘stop sticks’ which were successful in flattening two tires as the Audi entered New Haven,” police said.

After a brief pursuit, police said the Audi struck a curb and became disabled on Sherman Parkway and Legion Avenue in New Haven. Officers then saw two people running away from the vehicle, according to police.

After a foot pursuit, police said both people who ran from the Audi were apprehended by West Haven patrol officers with the assistance from the department’s Street Crime Unit.

“A subsequent search of the Audi revealed a stolen Glock 19 handgun with a high-capacity magazine that was beyond the legally allowed limit,” police wrote in a news release. “The Glock was illegally altered to have a switch, making the Glock handgun fire as fully automatic.”

Police said 240 bags of fentanyl/heroin were also found in the vehicle.

The driver was identified as 21-year-old Tyquan M. Ford, of New Haven, who was found to have an active protective order prohibiting from possessing firearms, according to police.

Ford was arrested and charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a stolen firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, violation of a protective order, possession with intent to sell narcotics, conspiracy to commit possession with intent to sell, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, first-degree reckless endangerment, and interfering with an officer.

The passenger was identified as 22-year-old Nashon Reynolds. He was arrested and charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to sell narcotics, conspiracy at possession with intent to sell, and interfering with an officer.

Both men were held in lieu of a $350,000 bond and were scheduled to appear at Milford Superior Court on April 1.

“This arrest showcases the excellent communication between Officers and our community,” police wrote. “The coordination by the Officers responding and ultimately apprehending both individuals is yet another example of fantastic police work.

“WHPD would also like to say thank you to the people who alerted the police to this vehicle.

“Anybody who observes suspicious or dangerous activity within the City of West Haven is urged to contact us at 203-937-3900.”