(Westport, CT)- On 09/24/2018 at approximately 3:15am, Corporal Kevin Smith observed a vehicle traveling westbound in the area of 877 Post Road East at a high rate of speed. He followed the vehicle and observed it stopped in the middle of the Post Road at the intersection with Long Lots Road with no tail lights illuminated. Corporal Smith caught up to the suspect vehicle and saw it stop at the red light at Roseville Road before it made a quick wide turn onto Roseville Road into the opposite lane of traffic. A registration check for the vehicle showed it had been stolen out of Darien on 09/19/2018.
Corporal Smith attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, but the suspect vehicle would not yield and engaged the officer in pursuit. The suspect vehicle led officers northbound on Roseville before it turned to travel eastbound on Cross Highway. It continued onto Congress Street in Fairfield. The Fairfield Police department assisted and deployed stop sticks ahead of the oncoming suspect vehicle on Congress Street, which the suspect vehicle struck. The pursuit continued up Black Rock Turnpike, onto Tanglewood and eventually onto Towne House Road where the vehicle crashed into a utility pole and the operator fled on foot. A brief foot pursuit ensued and the driver was taken into custody a short distance away by Corporal Smith and Officer Loomer with the assistance of Westport K-9 Koda. The two juvenile passengers were detained by Fairfield officers.
The two 15-year-old passengers, both from Waterbury, were transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital for minor injuries. They were each issued a summons charging them with 53a-122 Larceny 1st and 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 1 st ).
The operator was identified as Jomar Perez, 18, also of Waterbury, CT. He was transported to St Vincent’s by Fairfield police due to minor injuries sustained as a result of the K-9 bite. During a search of the vehicle, two loaded 9mm handgun magazines were located in the driver’s side door pocket. Numerous debit/credit cards and several car keys to other vehicles were also located during the search. The vehicle and surrounding area were searched, but no firearm has been recovered.
After being released from the hospital, Perez was transported to Westport headquarters where he was charged with two counts of 53-21(1) Risk of Injury, 53a-167a Interfering with an Officer, 53a-122 Larceny 1 st : Motor Vehicle Theft, and 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Larceny 1 st ). Perez was additionally charged with 14-223(b) Disobeying the Signal of an Officer: Elude/Attempt Escape, 14-222 Reckless Driving: Not Greater than 85 mph and 14-36(a) Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License. Perez was held in lieu of $25,000 bond. He was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment on 09/24/2018.
Fairfield County has been plagued by car thefts and motor vehicle burglaries for the last year. Despite multiple warnings, we continue to be a target rich environment because residents leave their cars unlocked with their car keys and other valuables inside. We urge residents to remove their belongings and secure their vehicles properly at night. Multiple firearms have been recovered from suspects in these crimes and from within the stolen motor vehicles. Residents should not confront any suspects themselves. They are asked to notify the police department immediately if they observe suspicious vehicles and activity in their neighborhoods.
(Westport Police Press Release)
