State Police Dismiss Troopers Accused of Kidnapping, Assault

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Two state troopers accused of kidnapping and assault in an off-duty incident at one of their homes back in February have been dismissed from the force, state police confirmed Monday night.

Xavier Cruz was terminated on Sept. 11 with an effective date of Monday and Rupert Laird was terminated on Sept. 12 with an effective date of Tuesday, state police said.

Cruz, 30, of Wethersfield, had been a state trooper since 2012 and was assigned to the Troop K barracks in Colchester.

He has been charged with:

• First-degree kidnapping with a firearm
• Deprivation of rights - bodily injury
• Second-degree assault with a firearm
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm
• Conspiracy to commit second-degree assault with a firearm
• Coercion - threat of a felony

He was arrested by Wethersfield police on Feb. 28 and has been free on a $750,000 bond. Cruz is due in court again on Sept. 25, according to judicial system records.

Laird, 30, of Manchester, was a state trooper since 2012 and was assigned to the Troop C barracks in Tolland. He has been charged with:

• First-degree kidnapping with a firearm
• Deprivation of rights - bodily injury
• Second-degree assault with a firearm
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm
• Conspiracy to commit second-degree assault with a firearm
• Coercion - threat of a felony

He was arrested in Wethersfield on Feb. 27 and has been free on a $750,000 bond. Laird is due in court again on Sept. 25, according to judicial system records.

After the incident State Police said they suspended their police powers, confiscated their weapons, badges and patrol vehicles, and opened an internal administrative inquiry.

According to police officials, local police were made aware of an alleged assault involving Laird and Cruz on Feb. 18 by a nurse at the hospital where the victim was treated.

During a night of partying, the victim allegedly touched Laird’s girlfriend in a manner Laird deemed inappropriate after a group went back to Cruz's home, according to details of the case.

The victim told investigators that Laird showed up to the residence and threatened the victim with a handgun. Cruz was present at the time, according to details of the case.

Laird is accused of then beating the victim in the basement of the Wethersfield home.

Photo Credit: Wethersfield police