SOUTHINGTON, CT — Members of the Southington Police Department responded to the area of Interstate 691 and Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike for a reported motor vehicle accident on April 1, 2026.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the operator of one of the involved vehicles had fled the scene on foot into a nearby wooded area.
A coordinated search was initiated utilizing patrol resources, including a K-9 unit and a department drone operator.
A short time later, the operator, identified as Axel Lopez, 39, of Meriden, returned to the area and was taken into custody.
At the time of his apprehension, Lopez was wearing body armor.
During a pat-down, officers located a loaded handgun on his person, which was subsequently determined to have been stolen out of Bridgeport.
Lopez is also a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Lopez was charged with criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, possession of a stolen firearm, criminal possession of body armor, carrying a pistol without a permit, evading responsibility, interfering with an officer and multiple motor vehicle violations.
He was released after posting a $75,000 cash/surety bond through a bondsman and is scheduled to appear at GA 15 in New Britain on April 15, 2026.
