A traffic stop that ended in a foot chase in Norwalk on Thursday led to police allegedly finding a man with over 100 grams of cocaine and other drugs.
An officer on a marked motorcycle was conducting traffic enforcement in the evening hours when a motorcyclist without a registration plate was spotted heading west on Sunset Hill Avenue just after 6:30 p.m., according to Lt. Tomasz Podgorski of the Norwalk Police Department.
The officer tried to initiate a traffic stop as the rider, identified as 33-year-old Vladimir Ruales-Espinoza of Stamford, was stopped at a red light, telling him to shut off the motorcycle, Podgorski said.
According to Podgorski, Ruales-Espinoza tried to maneuver around the officer, but the officer was able to prevent him from leaving. He allegedly dropped the bike and took off on foot, Podgorski said.
Police reported finding cocaine, xanax and oxycodone pills that tested positive for fentanyl when they arrested a man on Thursday. (Courtesy of the Norwalk Police Department)
The officer pursued him across East Avenue before deploying a Taser, which led to Ruales-Espinoza being taken into custody, Podgorski said. More officers responded to the scene and allegedly found narcotics both on Ruales-Espinoza and in the area where he had fled, according to Podgorski.
Police reported finding two bags of cocaine weighing about 102 grams, 10 smaller bags of cocaine weighing about 11 grams, 15 Xanax bars and 17 oxycodone pills, which tested positive for fentanyl, Podgorski said.
Ruales-Espinoza was arrested on charges of possession with intent to sell narcotics, interfering with an officer, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. His bond was set at $200,000, and he is expected to go before a judge on Oct. 24.
“The Norwalk Police Department remains committed to conducting proactive enforcement to reduce crime and ensure the safety of our community,” Podgorski said in a statement.
