WATERBURY — Members of the Waterbury Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, Gang Task Force, Vice and Intelligence Unit, Auto Theft Task Force, Crime Prevention Unit and the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force were actively patrolling the area of West Main Street on July 8 in search of Raphael Espinal, 19, of Waterbury.
Espinal was wanted on an active arrest warrant related to a motor vehicle theft investigation and was also identified as a suspect in a shots-fired incident that occurred on June 18 at 203 Woodlawn Terrace.
Officers successfully located Raphael Espinal in the area and apprehended him without incident.
Officers executed a search warrant at Espinal’s residence at 135 West Main Street, Apartment 2l.
A Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol was seized during the search.
Officers also executed a search and seizure warrant at 46 Johnson Street, Apartment 27.
Three firearms were located and seized inside the residence.
Two firearms were not properly stored, and children were present.
Andres Espinal, 26, of Waterbury, was placed under arrest and charged with risk of injury to a minor and two counts of failure to store a firearm properly.
Raphael Espinal was charged with criminal trover first degree, larceny of a motor vehicle third offense, criminal use of a weapon, illegal discharge of firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, reckless endangerment first degree and criminal possession of firearm/ammunition.
