Vehicle Stolen From Orange Ends Up Crashing Into Mailbox In Southington, Police Say

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A car reportedly stolen out of Orange was located in Southington, and police say the vehicle tried to flee officers but ended up crashing and struck a mailbox.

At 9:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to the area of Meriden Waterbury Turnpike for a gray 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo which had been reported stolen out of Orange, police said.

Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop of the vehicle, upon which the suspect vehicle immediately increased speed in an apparent effort to elude them, police said.

Officers in the area successfully disabled three of four tires. The driver of the vehicle continued to flee and ultimately lost control of the vehicle in the area of Old Turnpike Road and Buckland Street, where it struck a mailbox, police said.

Three occupants exited and began to flee on foot. One suspect, Alexander Almeida-Colella, was immediately apprehended, police said.

The second suspect, Dhaejruh Gonzalez, was located shortly after, police said. The third suspect, Rahquel Cranford, was the last suspect to be located after a brief foot pursuit, police added.

At the time Almeida-Colella was apprehended, he was carrying a bag which contained a realistic

looking firearm, later determined to be a BB gun, police said. This bag also contained brass knuckles, latex gloves and ski masks as well, police said.

Police said the charges for each person are as follows:

Dhaejruh Gonzalez, 24, of Waterbury, is charged with first-degree larceny, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, evading responsibility, and third-degree criminal mischief. A $250,000 bond was given.

Alexander Almeida-Colella, 19, of Waterbury, is charged with possession of facsimile firearm, weapons in motor vehicle and interfering with an officer. A $250,000 bond was given.

Rahquel Cranford, 21, is charged with third-degree burglary and interfering with an officer. A $250,000 bond was given.