Three Charged In Hartford Gas Station Fracas

HARTFORD, CT ? A state police detective suffered minor injuries and a suspect was tased in a brouhaha at a Hartford gas station Tuesday afternoon that saw three arrested, state police said Wednesday.

All suspects are facing multiple weapons, drug and larceny charges, among other charges, in connection with a string of statewide retail thefts.

Arrested were:

? Edwin Pacheco, 26, of Hartford, who was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle; criminal possession of a firearm; illegal possession of an assault weapon; interfering with police; and possession of a controlled substance.

Pacheco was unable to post a $500,000 bond. He was to appear in Hartford Superior Court July 20.

? Bryan Shepherd, 33, of Canterbury who was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle; criminal possession of a firearm; illegal possession of an assault weapon; interfering with police; and possession of a controlled substance.

Shepherd was unable to post a $200,000 bond. He was to appear in Hartford Superior Court July 20

? Danielle Pelletier, 40 , of Manchester, was found to have two active warrants and was also arrested.

According to the State of Connecticut's Judicial Branch website, Pelletier is facing prior breach of peace, third-degree assault, failure to appear in court and accessory to fifth-degree larceny charges.

Her bond and court status was unavailable.

According to a release issued Wednesday morning, detectives conducting highway enforcement witnessed a man at 3 p.m. Tuesday driving a truck suspected in numerous thefts in the greater Hartford area.

Detectives with the Statewide Organized Crime Task Force, along with the Statewide Narcotics Task Force and troopers assigned to Troop H in Hartford, observed the suspect operating an overdue U-Haul rental van.

Police said the suspect removed all U-Haul decals and heavily tinted the windows.

According to authorities, the suspect and vehicle are wanted in connection with numerous organized retail thefts throughout Connecticut and at least one armed robbery.

Pacheco and Shepherd had several active felony warrants for larceny, engaging in pursuit and interfering, police said.

Upon seeing the van, detectives followed the vehicle until it stopped at a gas station on Brainard Road in Hartford, according to police.

At that time, Pacheco exited the vehicle and placed a firearm on the center console of the van, police said.

According to the police release, Pacheco was combative and non-compliant as he attempted to fight police and return to the driver's seat of the vehicle.

After verbal commands and restraint tactics were unsuccessful, a state police detective deployed his Taser and it allowed law enforcement to handcuff Pacheco, police said.

The detective sustained a minor injury to his shoulder and he was treated and released, police said.

Shepherd was also taken into custody, according to police.

A third passenger, identified as Pelletier, was found to have two active warrants and was also arrested.

Meanwhile, a search of the van yielded 30 bags of "purple" Fentanyl, narcotics paraphernalia, burglary tools, knives, a machete, a facsimile firearm and a loaded firearm with no serial number and a threaded barrel.

The following agencies hold active hard copy arrest warrants for Pacheco and Shepard: police departments in West Hartford, Enfield, Avon, Glastonbury, Bloomfield and Vernon.

If any other agencies are investigating similar burglaries, they are asked to contact Sgt. Anthony Gordon at anthony.gordon@ct.gov.

For the full state police statement on this incident, click on this link.