WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — An 18-year-old, a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested in West Hartford Saturday afternoon for multiple incidents involving a toy gun, according to a release from West Hartford police.
Police said around 1 p.m. they received a complaint that the occupant of a black Mercedes Benz pointed what appeared to be a BB gun at someone sitting outside the Whole Foods on Raymond Road. Not long after, police received another complaint that the occupants of the black car shot multiple people with pellets near the intersection of Bishop Road and Farmington Avenue, according to the release.
One of the victims had been shot in the face, but none of the injuries suffered by the victims were considered serious; they were evaluated on scene by first responders, police said.
According to police, the black Mercedes Benz displayed an incorrect stolen license plate and was found at the intersection of Park Road and Raymond Road. When police attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver engaged the police in a pursuit, the release said.
West Hartford police successfully deployed a tire deflation device and apprehended the three suspects near 626 Willard Avenue in Newington; two of the suspects are juveniles and one is considered an adult, according to police.
Police said a “Surge XL gel blaster” was found inside the vehicle; the blaster can shoot projectiles at rates between 170 to 250 feet per second, according to the product’s website.
According to police, Luis Ortiz-Perez, 18, from Berlin, was arrested and held on a $250,000 surety bond pending arraignment in Hartford court.
Ortiz-Perez is charged with 10 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, one count of interfering with an officer, four counts of risk of injury to a child, one count of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a child, seven counts of third-degree assault, one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault, eight counts of second-degree breach of peace and one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree breach of peace.
The two juveniles were both issued summonses and will appear in court based on where they live. They face a long list of charges.
Police said the 17-year-old is charged with eight counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, one count of interfering with an officer, three counts of risk of injury to a child, one count of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a child, seven counts of third-degree assault, one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault, eight counts of second-degree breach of peace and one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault.
The 16-year-old faces even more charges, including 10 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, one count of interfering with an officer, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, one count of conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor, seven counts of third-degree assault, one count of conspiracy to commit third-degree assault, eight counts of second-degree breach of peace and one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree breach of peace, according to police.
The 16-year-old is also charged with three counts of failure to stop for a stop sign, one count of failure to drive right, four counts of failing to obey traffic control signals, one count of reckless driving, one count of theft of a plate, one count of operating an unregistered motor vehicle, one count of insufficient insurance, one count of engaging police in pursuit and one count of failure to display a number plate, West Hartford police said.
The investigation is active and remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203 or use the anonymous tip line/email at 860-570-8969 or whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.
“We are extremely grateful that no one was seriously injured during this incident and would like to thank the West Hartford Fire Department and Newington Police Department for their assistance,” West Hartford police said, in the release.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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