A Week's Progress..

Again, it has been a very busy and productive week for the Hartford Police Department. We made arrests in two homicides cases. In connection with the July 19th shooting death of Johan Rosa at 195 Affleck Street, we made four arrests: Carlos Vega, Jose Felix, and a 16 year old juvenile charged with murder, and Luis Franceschi on firearm charges related to the incident. And in connection with the November 10th, 2007 shooting death of Efrain Rodriguez, working with the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, the HPD charged a 17 year old juvenile, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, with Mr. Rodriguez’ murder. There have been 18 homicides year to date in the city. Ten of the 18 have been closed by arrests. I want the families of victims to know that the Hartford Police Department will never give up in its efforts to bring violent individuals responsible for these crimes to justice. Their loved ones will never be forgotten by the HPD.

We have also continued our aggressive efforts to get guns off our streets. This week we captured two individuals in possession of loaded firearms. August 2nd officers observed a vehicle run a red light. When they attempted a motor vehicle stop the suspect fled, engaging police in a pursuit that led to Windsor Street and the suspect’s attempt to seal a locked police cruiser then a tow truck. Lamar McCarthy of East Hartford was apprehended as he attempted to steal the tow truck. A search of his vehicle found a silver revolver on the front passenger seat and a black ski mask in the back seat. On August 7th Vice and Narcotics detectives arrested Jose Carrion of Lawrence Street on numerous firearms charges. He was under investigation for the sale of narcotics when detectives approached him in the vicinity of 869 Wethersfield Avenue. After an intense struggle he was apprehended and found in possession of two firearms and ammunition. Year to date we have seized 257 firearms and made 134 firearm related arrests. We will continue to be aggressive in getting guns off our streets; however, parents, family and friends need to impress upon these young people the severity of the pain and suffering caused by their willingness to resort to gun violence to resolve disputes.

Also apprehended this week was a suspect we believe responsible for numerous recent burglaries and larcenies. On August 5th detectives apprehended Lloyd Coleman, 44, of Westbrook, Connecticut, as he attempted to remove a computer from Saint Francis Hospital. Click here to view a photo of Lloyd Coleman. If you recognize him or have information about other incidents he may have been involved in please contact Sergeant Ed Yergeau at 860-757-4257, call Crime Stoppers at 860-722-TIPS, or Text-A-Tip at TIP716.

On a lighter hearted note, those of you who attended National Night Out had a preview of some of the horses in our new HPD Mounted Patrol Unit. Below is a video of Zeus, Maximus, and Cacique as they visited Hartford Police Headquarters prior to their visits to Lozada and Pope Parks. The Mounted Patrol Unit has one more month of training with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard. I know we all look forward to seeing them patrol our neighborhoods, parks, and community events.

I hope you find this report of interest and value, and encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions on how we together can make our city safer for us all.

Your Chief, Daryl K. Roberts