MIDDLETOWN — State Police say a traffic stop for a cell phone violation on I-91 Southbound near exit 38 in Windsor led to a car chase and two arrests.
It all started around 6:20 p.m. on Friday, when troopers noticed a driver using his cell phone and tried to pull the vehicle over. State Police say the driver refused to stop leading them on a brief car chase.
As troopers followed the vehicle, they saw an object being thrown from the car as it exited the highway at exit 38. State Police ended the car chase and returned to the grassy area near the exit’s off-ramp, where they found one kilogram of cocaine.
Around 12:30 a.m., troopers noticed two males searching the same area where the narcotics were thrown during the pursuit earlier in the evening.
State Police arrested 27-year-old Jose Fontanez from Hartford and 32-year-old Erick Ortiz-Aguayo, who they say were the men in the vehicle when the drugs were thrown.
Fontanez was charged with reckless driving, engaging in pursuit, operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld device, illegal possession of narcotics, reckless use of the highway by pedestrian and interfering with an officer.
He was released after posting bond and is scheduled to appear in Enfield Superior Court on Jan. 29.
Ortiz-Aguayo was charged with reckless driving, engaging in pursuit, operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld device, illegal possession of narcotics and reckless use of the highway by pedestrian and interfering with an officer. He is held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Enfield Superior Court on Jan. 4.
