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Duo Nabbed In Merritt Parkway Chase After Attempting To Steal Hemp In Easton, Police Say

Two suspects have been charged after police say they attempted to steal legally grown hemp in the area.

Josue Gonzalez-Vazquez, 19, of New Haven (Left) and Jacob Castro, 19, of Hamden (Right)

Josue Gonzalez-Vazquez, 19, of New Haven (Left) and Jacob Castro, 19, of Hamden (Right)

Photo Credit: Easton Police Department

Police say they received a call reporting suspicious activity on a farm in Easton on Sport Hill Road on Monday, Oct. 7 around 1:15 a.m.

The report stated that the party was attempting to steal legally regulated hemp plants used to produce CDB oil, police say.

Officers responded to the location and allegedly observed a dark-colored Honda with New York registration parked near Sport Hill Road and Adams Road.

When the officer attempted to investigate the vehicle, the driver allegedly fled the scene.

Officers say they pursued the vehicle south on Route 59 before it was involved in a one-car crash near the Exit 46 entrance/exit ramp to the Merritt Parkway.

The passenger, identified as Jacob Castro, 19, of Hamden, was apprehended at the scene and transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, police say.

The operator, who continued to flee on foot, was apprehended approximately two hours later along the Merritt Parkway near Exit 49, police say. Prior to his arrest, the Westport Police Department K-9 unit responded to the scene and conducted a search with negative results.

Police also determined that the vehicle was allegedly stolen from East Haven on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Upon his arrest, the driver, identified as Josue Gonzalez-Vazquez, 19, of New Haven, was turned over to the Easton Police Department for processing.

Castro was charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. Gonzalez-Vazquez faces charges for third-degree larceny, engaging in a pursuit, misuse of plates and other motor vehicle charges.

Both suspects were held on a $10,000 bond pending arraignment.

This investigation is ongoing, as police report two other suspicious incidents at the location in recent weeks.

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