Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends in East Haven Man's Arrest

The following is a press release submitted by the Branford Police Department.

Branford Police officers arrested Jose Sanchez, 47, of 140 Mill Road, Apt. 1284, just after 3:40 a.m. this morning. Officer Marc Andrew noticed him operating a stolen 1997 Dodge Caravan on East Main Street in the area of Business Park Drive which was reported stolen on February 8 in East Hartford.

Officer Andrew, upon learning the vehicle was stolen, followed the vehicle into Guilford on Route 1 until other police units could arrive in the area. Officer Andrew, with the assistance of a Guilford Police officer attempted to stop the van, however Sanchez disobeyed the officer’s signal and entered onto I-95 southbound trying to elude the officers.

Once in the area of I-95, exit 56 southbound, Sanchez noticed other Branford Police crusiers stationed ahead and stopped abruptly on the highway, exited the vehicle and ran in a southerly direction toward Leetes Island Road with officers pursuing him on foot.

Branford Sergeant Kris Hormuth said a truck driver, as he exited I-95 northbound at Leetes Island Road, pointed her toward the area where Sanchez was running. Hormuth was able to take Sanchez into custody moments later without incident.

Chief Kevin Halloran remarked on the intuitiveness of Officer Andrew, “Marc is on of our newest officers, just recently. He apparently has settled in well with the other outstanding officers who work the midnight shift proactively protecting our community, due in part to their alertness.”

Sanchez was charged with second degree larceny; first degree criminal trover; possession of burglar tools; engaging in pursuit; and reckless driving. Sanchez is being held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Haven Court on Tuesday morning.

Original Story (7:30 a.m.)

At approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning a male suspected of driving a stolen van was spotted by . A pursuit began, detailed Branford Police Captain Geoffrey Morgan.

The vehicle, believed to have been stolen out of East Hartford, entered the highway at exit 57 in Guilford traveling southbound on I95. Morgan stated that the van crashed at exit 56, Leetes Island Road, and a foot pursuit began. Several officers, including Branford Sergeant Kris Hormuth, apprehended the suspect on foot in the vicinity of Leetes Island Road, reported Morgan.

The suspect was taken into custody. Updates on this incident as well as the name of the suspect will be available later today.