Two men were arrested last week after police allegedly found narcotics, a firearm and thousands of dollars of phony money during an investigation targeting the use of counterfeit money.
Eric Gamble, 38, of Hartford and Eduardo Rodriguez, Jr., 30, of Queens, New York were both arrested last Friday following an investigation conducted by state police detectives with the Bureau of Special Investigations, according to Connecticut State Police.
State police said they began surveilling the occupants of a brown 2025 Kia Telluride with Florida license plates after the vehicle was spotted in Waterbury. Detectives believed the vehicle was wanted by multiple agencies throughout the state for its alleged ties to transactions involving counterfeit money.
Eric Gamble allegedly struck two state police vehicles last week while trying to elude authorities. (Courtesy of Connecticut State Police)
While watching the vehicle in Hartford and West Hartford, state police said investigators saw the vehicle stop at multiple retailers where the passenger allegedly got out and entered each store. State police identified the passenger as Rodriguez, who had several warrants out for his arrest on counterfeit money accusations, according to state police. The warrant stemmed from incidents in Greenwich and Rocky Hill.
According to state police, detectives followed the Kia to the parking lot of a Burger King at 914 New Britain Ave. in Hartford where Rodriguez again allegedly got out and entered the business.
Investigators tried to pull over the Kia driver, who allegedly accelerated and struck the front end of two state police vehicles. The driver was taken into custody and identified as Gamble, state police said.
Eduardo Rodriguez was arrested last week in connection with an investigation into the alleged use of counterfeit money. (Courtesy of Connecticut State Police)
According to state police, Gamble is a convicted felon who is on parole. Investigators allege he was found with about $6,500 in counterfeit money, 10 pressed fentanyl pills and a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun, state police said.
Rodriguez was taken into custody without an issue, state police said.
Gamble faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a cannabis product, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a weapon in a vehicle, conspiracy to commit first-degree forgery, interfering with police, assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver and violation of a protective order. He was held on a $750,000 bond and was expected to face a judge in Hartford Superior Court on Monday.
Rodriguez was charged with first-degree forgery and conspiracy to commit first-degree forgery. He was held on a $25,000 bond and was also expected to be arraigned on Monday.
