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PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS
From the City of Hartford Office of Communications and New Media
For Immediate Release:     Tuesday, June 12, 2012

HARTFORD NO. 1 IN STATE IN THE SEIZURE OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS;
SHOOTING TASK FORCE CONTINUES TO MAKE INROADS

Hartford - "The Hartford Shooting Task Force (HSTF) continues to make inroads in the seizure of illegal firearms throughout the city," said Mayor Pedro E. Segarra and Hartford Interim Police Chief James C. Rovella today in a join statement highlighting recent investigations by the Task force.  

"I cannot fully express to the members of the Task Force how significant and meaningful their efforts are in the removal of illegal firearms from our streets.  They are doing their job, and doing it extremely well," said Mayor Segarra.

Police Chief Rovella called upon members of the community to partner with police, saying "It is incumbent upon all of us as a community to partner with our police in their investigations in order to ensure individuals involved in gun violence are arrested and held accountable for their actions.  We are one city with one plan, and part of that plan is to make our city a safe place in which to live, work and recreate."

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released a report citing Hartford as the top city in Connecticut in the recovery of firearms in 2008 at 308 of the 526 recovered statewide.  More than 440 firearms were recovered by the HPD in 2011.  Year to date, Hartford Police have seized 109 firearms.  View the full report at police.hartford.gov.

According to statistics reported to the FBI under Uniform Crime Reports, year to date as of June 12, 2012, Hartford has experienced a decrease in shooting incidents and victims by 27.7%, a 52.9 reduction in homicides, and an increase in firearm related arrests by 1.2%, an increase in murder arrests by 12.5%, and all Part One crime arrests by 11.1%.

On June 9th, 2012, members of the Hartford Shooting Task Force, along with members of the HPD Patrol and Vice and Narcotics Divisions, while conducting a "Hot Spot" detail in the vicinity of  Garden Street, approached a suspicious vehicle parked in the read lot of 424 Garden Street. Observed on the front passenger floor of the vehicle was a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol.  Arrested on numerous firearm charges, including criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm, was Anthony Rodriguez, 5/22/82, of Hartford.  Rodriguez remains in custody on at $750,000 bond pending arraignment in Hartford Superior Court.

On June 6th, 2012, at approximately 2:30 p.m., HSTF Detective Plourde and Special Agent Borysevicz arrested Karlas-Scott Manson, 2/12/88, of New Britain, following a brief pursuit wherein Manson shot himself with a firearm in his possession.  Manson had been under surveillance and was observed making a narcotics transaction in the vicinity of Broad Street.  A .32 caliber pistol was recovered and Manson faces numerous firearms, narcotics and reckless endangerment charges.  He remains in custody on $500,000 pending arraignment in Hartford Superior Court.

On May 31st, 2012, Detective Plourde and Special Agent Borysevicz and members of the HSTF recovered two firearms and seized one half a pound of cocaine during a traffic stop on Boothbay Street.  Further investigation led detectives to 132-134 Cleveland Avenue where they executed a Search and Seizure Warrant for illegal narcotics activity.  During the ensuing search, three suspects engaged police in a violent struggle wherein a detective and accused fell down a flight of stairs.  Detective Z. Kashmanian was injured during the incident.  Arrested for operating a drug factory and other narcotics and firearms charges were Michael Powell, 3/28/76, of Hartford, Patrice Hall, 9/24/84, of Manchester, and Christopher Powell, 8/7/82, of Hartford.   Christopher Powell was charged with interfering and assault on police.  Detective Kashmanian continues to recover from his injuries.

On May 29th, 2012, the Hartford Shooting Task Force was investigating suspected firearm activity in the Barbour Street area.  On information developed during the investigation by Detective Plourde and Kashmanian stopped a black Saab in front of 65 Barbour Street.  During a search of the vehicle a Cobra .22 double barrel derringer was recovered.  Jorge Roldan, 12/7/87, of Hartford, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and possession within 1,500ft of a school. 

On May 25, 2012, as the Hartford Shooting Task Force was investigating a serious assault that occurred on October 24, 2010, at 54 Harold Street, Officer Tanya Ortiz and Inspector Rodriguez obtained an arrest warrant for the shooter, Rafael Burgos, 12/31/87, of Hartford.  Burgos was taken into custody on May 25th and charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, first degree assault, conspiracy to commit first degree robbery, carrying a pistol without a permit, and criminal possession of a firearm.