SHOOTING TASK FORCE SEIZURE

One of the most positive initiatives that has been implemented against violent crime in Hartford  has been the Shooting Task Force. When they were at full strength last year, gun seizures and press releases regarding the STF seemed like an almost daily occurrence.

Due to various budget cuts the Task Force has been reduced from its original strength and several of the State level partners( Connecticut State Police and Chief States Attorney's Office) in the initiative have been cut back due to budget constraints and surrounding municipalities have also curtailed their efforts. Manchester Police, the CT Department of Corrections and Probation and Parole still maintain their commitment.

A major seizure by members of the Shooting Task Force and HPD's Traffic Division Sunday night is proof positive  that the Task Force needs to be rebuilt to its strength level from last year.

All of the items pictured above were seized from a car on Hartford's streets. Last weeks violence is probably a good indicator that guns and drugs are moving pretty freely around Hartford. If our Governor and our Mayor are serious about reducing gun violence in Hartford, they need to make a serious commitment to programs such as the Shooting Task Force.

On Sunday night at about 7:41 PM members of the Shooting Task Force in cooperation with HPD's Traffic Division were conducting patrols in the Parkville area due to recent spikes in firearm violence and shots fired calls. Near 82 Chadwick Avenue  a male suspect ran from a vehicle after he noticed Police Officers in the area. After a short foot chase, the suspect was apprehended  on the 3rd floor rear porch at 82 Chadwick

Officers looking into the car noticed a large amount of heroin in plain sight on the center console. A subsequent search of the vehicle  yielded a large amount of heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy, over $8,466.00 in US currency and two firearms. Both firearms had been stolen in burglaries.

Juan Maldonado, a convicted felon, was arrested and charged with various charges including carrying a pistol without a permit Criminal possession of a firearm, Theft of a firearm as well as numerous drug charges. He was held on a $750,000.00 bond