Drug, Weapons Charges For Trio After Newington PD Pursuit: Police

NEWINGTON, CT — Two West Hartford residents and a Manchester resident were taken into custody by Newington police Tuesday morning for gun and drug charges after a police pursuit early Christmas Eve.

According to the Newington Police Department late Tuesday morning, the trio was charged in the drug/gun bust, which took place at a local condominium complex at 3:29 a.m.

Taken into custody were:

• Michael Torres, 24, of West Hartford who was charged with criminal possession of a firearm; illegal alteration of a firearm; possession of narcotics with intent to sell; interfering with a police officer; carrying a pistol without a permit; possession of a controlled substance; and second-degree failure to appear in court.

Torres was held on a $135,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Dec. 24.

• Chastity Casiano, 37, of Manchester, was charged with second-degree failure to appear in court; two counts of first-degree failure to appear in court; possession of a controlled substance; use of drug paraphernalia; and criminal impersonation.

Casiano was being held on a $105,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Dec. 24.

• Chereca Cruz, 43, of West Hartford, was charged with possession of a controlled substance; use of drug paraphernalia; illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle: improper use of marker plates; engaging police in pursuit; and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while license/registration is suspended.

Cruz was released from custody on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Jan. 7, 2025.

According to the Newington Police Department, at about 3:29 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning, officers were patrolling residential areas of town.

Officers then observed a suspicious vehicle loitering in a condo complex, police said.

According to the NPD, officers attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle failed to stop and fled the area.

Police returned to the parking lot to check for signs of car break-ins and noticed the suspicious vehicle had returned to the parking lot, the NPD said Tuesday.

Officers were then able to stop the vehicle, police said.

The vehicle was found to be occupied by Torres, Casiano, and Cruz, according to police.

"During the investigation Torres physically resisted officers which resulted in a discovery of a handgun on his person," wrote the NPD in a release Tuesday morning.

"During a subsequent search of the vehicle narcotics, including crack cocaine, were located. All three occupants were arrested."