CHARLTON — A routine traffic stop escalated into a multi-town pursuit early Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of two Connecticut men and the recovery of two stolen vehicles.
Shortly before 6 a.m. on March 5, a Charlton officer monitoring morning traffic on Route 20 observed a vehicle exceeding the posted 55 mph speed limit.
The vehicle erratically changed lanes and accelerated to over 80 mph after spotting the police cruiser.
When the officer activated his blue lights, the suspect vehicle attempted to evade police by turning off its headlights and abruptly turning onto Bay Path Road before crashing.
Two male occupants fled into nearby woods, prompting officers to establish a perimeter while K9 Dozer and officers began a search.
Police deployed drones from Charlton and neighboring departments to assist in the search as the suspects moved toward Richardson Corner Road.
Officers apprehended one suspect near 45 Richardson Corner Road, while a black sedan was observed speeding away from the area.
An officer working a detail attempted to stop the vehicle, which continued toward Oxford, at times driving erratically and nearly causing a head-on collision with a Massachusetts State trooper.
An Oxford Police Officer successfully deployed a tire deflation device, bringing the vehicle to a stop on Route 20 in Auburn, where the second suspect was taken into custody.
Police determined the second vehicle had been stolen from a Richardson Corner residence.
Authorities identified the suspects as Jayden Kelly, 20, of Hartford, Connecticut, and Jorge Ruiz, 24, of West Hartford, Connecticut.
Kelly was arraigned on March 6 on charges including use without authority, possession of burglarious tools, receiving stolen property over $1,200, and breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony.
Ruiz faces charges including speeding, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, attaching plates, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, use without authority, larceny of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, and possession of burglarious tools.
Police later determined the license plates on the initial vehicle did not belong to it, and the vehicle had been reported stolen on Feb. 19 in New Haven, Connecticut.
