Occupants of a vehicle that fled from West Hartford Police were apprehended and face multiple charges related to fleeing the scene and drug possession.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police were conducting a traffic stop on Prospect Avenue on Friday morning when the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with one of the department’s cruisers and fled the scene.

According to Capt. Aaron Vafiades, at approximately 10:14 a.m. Friday members of the West Hartford Police Department Community Support Unit had stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of Prospect Avenue, near Kane Street, and the driver initially pulled into a parking space in the lot of the Dunkin’ store. The driver then backed out of the space to flee the scene, Vafiades said, and in the process collided with a West Hartford Police cruiser that was in the parking lot, causing moderate damage to the cruiser.

The suspect vehicle continued to flee, entering I-84 West and exiting in Farmington where the two occupants abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. Both were quickly apprehended and taken into custody by West Hartford Police. NBC Connecticut reported reported that a K-9 team was also deployed at the scene.

The operator of the vehicle has been identified as Angel Sanchez, 37, of Hartford. The passenger has been identified as Ilda Cruz, 56, also of Hartford.

Sanchez has been charged with misuse of plates, evading responsibility, reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, no insurance, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, engaging police in pursuit, interfering with a police officer, possession of narcotics, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cruz has been charged with interfering with an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both were released after posting bond and are due in Hartford Superior Court on Sept. 3, Vafiades said.

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