Woodstock, CT / Webster & Oxford, MA – A pursuit that began as a simple stop for a license plate violation on Interstate 395 in Oxford, MA, ended with a Connecticut State Police K9 being deployed to track and apprehend the individuals in Woodstock, CT.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, January 11th, 2023, the Massachusetts State Police attempted to stop a vehicle for a marked plate violation in the area of Exit 9 (Depot Rd) on I-395 South. The vehicle failed to stop and raised its speed to over 80 mph. A pursuit was established with a Massachusetts State Trooper at the lead. Webster Police Officers were called to the highway to assist with deploying stop-sticks (a tire deflation device) to disable the vehicle. Officers successfully deployed the devices deflating two tires on the suspect vehicle. One civilian vehicle was also inadvertently struck with the deflation devices.
As the pursuit entered Connecticut, all Massachusetts Troopers and Webster Officers terminated the pursuit due to lack of jurisdiction. The Connecticut State Police Troop D was alerted of the vehicle entering their jurisdiction. Troopers swept the highways but were unable to locate the vehicle, which was now believed to be operating with two deflated tires.
At approximately 8:15 p.m. Troop D was alerted to a suspicious vehicle on West Quasset Rd, Woodstock, CT. Upon arrival, troopers determined the vehicle matched the description of the vehicle which had previously fled from the Massachusetts State Troopers. One occupant was located walking along Route 171 and K9 Drago was requested from Troop C to assist in finding additional occupants. At approximately 9:30 p.m. when K9 Drago arrived on the scene, a scent track was initiated and two individuals were located in the woods north of Rt 171.
Upon apprehension, the suspected operator was found to have seven active arrest warrants out of the state of Connecticut. The suspect was held on over $100,000 in bonds.
This is the second time in less than a month K9 Drago has responded to assist Troop D with a suspect track following a pursuit in Massachusetts. Read all about the last instance here.