Two From New Haven Charged After Chase Ends In Front Of Police HQ: NHPD

NEW HAVEN, CT — Late Wednesday night, during a crime suppression assignment, members of the New Haven Police Department's Criminal Intelligence Unit and Shooting Task Force, along with members of the Connecticut State Police Auto Theft Task Force noticed a "suspicious vehicle parked illegally on Grand Avenue by Hamilton Street, according to a police post to "X."

Officers parked behind the vehicle to initiate a stop, police wrote. They identified the driver as Laquida Lennon, 31, and Kai Stewart, 34, as the passenger. Both are New Haven residents.

"Both were immediately argumentative with the officers and after a brief struggle with officers attempting to open the door, Lennon abruptly drove away," police said. Officers deployed stop sticks which successfully deflated the tires with the vehicle "ultimately stopping in front of the New Haven Police Department headquarters on Union Avenue," the department's social media post reads.

"No illicit substances were located in the vehicle," police said. "However, during a canvas of the path Lennon drove, officers located a bag containing narcotics that will be tested for a DNA comparison."

Additional charges may result, police said, adding the two were taken into custody. Lennon was charged with traffic, violations and engaging police in a pursuit and Stewart was charged with interfering with an officer, police said. Court records show Lennon's bail is $35,000 and Stewart's is $5,000.

The task force's involved in the arrests target illegal drug/narcotics, illegal firearms violations, and members serve active warrants and enforce quality of life issues, police said.