NEWINGTON — A routine patrol by Newington police officers led to a vehicle chase and the arrest of three individuals early on Christmas Eve.
At approximately 3:29 a.m., officers were patrolling condo complexes when they spotted a vehicle they deemed suspicious.
The vehicle initially fled after officers attempted a stop, but later returned to the parking lot where officers successfully stopped it.
The occupants, identified as Michael Torres, 24, of West Hartford, Chastity Casiano, 37, of Manchester, and Chereca Cruz, 43, of West Hartford, were arrested following the encounter.
During the arrests, Torres allegedly resisted physically, revealing a handgun on his person.
Officers also found crack cocaine in the vehicle.
Torres faces multiple charges, including criminal possession of a firearm, illegal alteration of firearm identification, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and interfering with an officer.
He is being held on a $135,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at GA-15, New Britain, on Dec. 24.
Casiano was charged with failure to appear in the first and second degrees, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia, and criminal impersonation.
Her bond is set at $105,000, with a scheduled court appearance on the same date as Torres.
Cruz faces charges for possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, and engaging police in pursuit.
She was released on a $15,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7.
The Newington Police Department urges residents to report any suspicious activity by contacting them at their Garfield Street address or by phone.
