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Authorities in Hartford saw a suspect driving an overdue U-Haul rental van that was linked to organized retail thefts throughout Connecticut and at least one armed robbery at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, Connecticut State Police reported.
Police said detectives followed the vehicle until it stopped at a gas station on Brainard Road. The van no longer had its U-Haul decals, and all the windows were heavily tinted, police said.
The driver, identified as 26-year-old Edwin Pacheco, of Hartford, and his front seat passenger, identified as 33-year-old Bryan Shepherd, of Canterbury, both had active felony warrants for larceny, engaging in a pursuit, and interfering, police said.
State Police reported that Pacheco got out of the van and placed a firearm on the center console.
Authorities said Pacheco tried to fight police and return to the driver's seat, and a detective deployed a Taster device in order to handcuff him.
Shepherd was arrested along with a third passenger, identified as 40-year-old Danielle Pelletier, of Manchester, who was found to have two active PRAWN warrants, police said.
Police reported finding the following during a search of the van:
- 30 bags of "purple" Fentanyl
- Narcotics paraphernalia
- Burglary tools
- Knives
- A machete
- A facsimile firearm
- A loaded firearm with no serial number and a threaded barrel
Authorities said Pacheco and Shepherd were both charged with:
- Weapon in a motor vehicle
- Criminal possession of a firearm
- Illegal possession of an assault weapon
- Interfering
- Possession of a controlled substance
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