Cops: Suspicious car in East Haven leads to arrests

EAST HAVEN — Police say two men were arrested early Thursday morning after a resident reported a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood and the occupants trying to open the doors of cars parked on the street.

East Haven police said investigating officer Jayqwan Wilkins saw a black 2011 Honda Accord stopped in the middle of Laurel Street. The car then turned down

Nicole Court, a dead-end roadway, after the driver caught sight of Wilkins, according to police.

When the car reached the end of Nicole Court, Wilkins was able to flag it down. The driver was later identified as Christopher Rodriguez-Mitja, 19, of New Haven, and the passenger as Ron Calderon, 18, of East Haven, police said.

A search of the car turned up several spent 9 mm shell casings and a loaded 9 mm handgun, police said. Because of their age, neither Rodriguez-Mitja nor Calderon are eligible to obtain a pistol permit or own a handgun under Connecticut law.

Rodriguez-Mitja and Calderon were arrested and transported to the East Haven Police Department for processing. Rodriguez-Mitja was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal possession of cannabis, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating a motor vehicle without a license and misuse of marker plates.

Calderon was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle, and possession of cannabis.

Bond was set at $10,000 for both men. Rodriguez-Mitja and Calderon are set to appear in state Superior Court in New Haven on Sept 7.