2 In Stolen Car Arrested In Southington: Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Two New Britain residents were arrested Friday after police said they were found in a stolen car in Southington.

The passenger was also found to be in the possession of drugs and a tan Glock 19X replica air soft pistol, according to police.

Police responded to the northern end of town after receiving information that a stolen gray Fiat 500 bearing a Connecticut registration was being operated in Southington, according to Lt. Justin Burke.

Burke said officers canvassed the area and found the vehicle traveling southbound on Queen Street. The vehicle turned into an apartment complex on Baron Court, and police conducted a motor vehicle stop.

“The vehicle was found to be occupied by two individuals,” Burke wrote in a news release. “The operator and passenger of the vehicle exited the vehicle and were cooperative with the Officers’ commands. Both occupants were taken into custody without further incident. No injuries occurred to either suspects or officers on scene.”

Burke said the passenger, identified as Desyer Lopez, was found to be in the possession of approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine. A tan Glock 19X replica air soft pistol and drug paraphernalia were also found in the front passenger area of the vehicle, according to Burke.

Lopez, 28, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle. She was released to the New Britain Police Department on a $5,000 bond, where Burke said she had an active arrest warrant.

The driver, identified as 32-year-old Reggie Santoni, was arrested on charges of second-degree larceny and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond and appeared at New Britain Superior Court on Friday.

“The men and women of the Southington Police Department stand committed in keeping the citizens of this community safe,” Burke wrote. “Often times, many of these arrests involve the discovery of firearms, both real and facsimile which have shown a history of being used in violent crimes in the State of Connecticut [pictured]. These facsimile firearms highly resemble actual firearms, and when mistaken as actual firearms can result in tragic consequences for those involved.”