On Sunday, 01/05/25, at approximately 10:50 PM, a Sergeant assigned to Troop G-Bridgeport was traveling south on Route 8 prior to the Prospect Street exit in the city of Bridgeport. This section of Route 8 has a posted speed limit of 40 mph. It was at this time that the Sergeant observed a vehicle approaching from behind their cruiser at a high rate of speed, straddling the left and center lanes. As the vehicle continued to close the gap on the Sergeant's cruiser, the Sergeant believed that this vehicle was likely going to cause a collision. The Sergeant took evasive action and veered right to avoid being struck.
Based upon this, the Sergeant began to accelerate in efforts to catch up with the observed vehicle and attempt a traffic stop. The Sergeant observed at this time that the vehicle was traveling more than double the posted speed limit and was utilizing all lanes to pass other traffic. At one point, the vehicle appeared to be taking an exit off Route 8 but quickly cut back across the gore area to the right lane at the merger to I-95 southbound. Once positioned behind this vehicle, the Sergeant activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The operator complied and pulled over to the right shoulder of the exit ramp.
Due to the hazardous location of the stop, the Sergeant requested Troop G dispatch an additional unit for lights. The Sergeant made contact with the operator, who was positively identified as Bryan Garcia (DOB 01/26/96), of New Haven, by his CT operator's license. Garcia communicated with the Sergeant through the right rear passenger side window, claiming the right front window was not working. During the interaction, however, the Sergeant noticed that Garcia had partially opened the right front window. Upon asking Garcia for his registration and insurance, Garcia explained that the vehicle was a rental. The Sergeant then asked Garcia for the vehicle's rental agreement. Garcia opened the glove box and reached in, at which point the Sergeant observed a firearm. Simultaneously, the Sergeant observed that Garcia had his entire right hand on the firearm as if he was taking hold of the weapon. The Sergeant subsequently drew his duty pistol on Garcia and gave him clear verbal commands to take his hand off of the weapon, to which Garcia complied.
Shortly thereafter, a second Trooper arrived on scene. Garcia was given verbal commands to step out of the vehicle and he was subsequently detained in handcuffs without further incident. Upon running Garcia's license, it was learned that he had an active arrest warrant out of North Haven for unrelated charges. The firearm within the glove box was determined to be a .40 caliber pistol with four live rounds of .40 caliber ammunition and one in the chamber. The firearm and its ammunition were subsequently seized as evidence in this investigation.
Garcia was advised that he was under arrest and was transported to Troop G, where he was processed for the following charges:
CGS 14-222; Reckless Driving
CGS 29-38; Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
Garcia was later released on a $1,000 bond and was turned over to the custody of the North Haven Police Department for service of the unrelated arrest warrant. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
