Two CT men arrested after police track vehicle tied to larcenies using StarChase GPS device
Two men were arrested early Friday after police in Newington spotted a vehicle believed to be involved in a number of larcenies and successfully deployed a GPS dart used by law enforcement to track vehicles, which led to a foot chase in New Britain.
Officers were patrolling the Berlin Turnpike near the Wethersfield town line around 1 a.m. when they spotted the vehicle believed to have ties to several thefts throughout the state, according to Lt. Scott Amalfi of the Newington Police Department.
Amalfi said police were able to deploy a StarChase dart on the vehicle, as it was known to engage officers in a pursuit. An officer tried to pull the driver over, but he did not stop. Police did not pursue the motorist.
The dart allowed police to track the vehicle to New Britain where it ran out of gas, according to Amalfi. Officers with the New Britain Police Department assisted Newington police during a brief foot pursuit which led to two people being apprehended.
The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Jason Bartone of Manchester and 45-year-old Tucker Platt of New Haven, Amalfi said.
Bartone was charged with interfering with an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, possession of a controlled substance (second offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on May 9.
Platt was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of a controlled substance. He was also released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and expected to face a judge on May 9.
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