Crime & Safety

New Haven Man Allegedly Gives Cops Wrong Name During Gun Arrest

Was in violation of his parole, according to police.

A New Haven man was arrested early Monday morning after a motor vehicle stop allegedly turned up an illegal handgun, and he subsequently allegedly gave police the wrong name.

At about 12 a.m. Monday morning an officer stopped a car in the area of Arch and Fitch streets that had defective equipment, police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith said.

When the officer searched the vehicle, he found a .38 caliber gun on the floor of the passenger side of the car, Smith said.

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The passenger, who identified himself as Vonnie Jones, 33, of 1134 Quinnipiac Ave. in New Haven, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and weapons in a motor vehicle. He was held in lieu of $50,000 bond and is due to appear in Meriden Superior Court Oct. 10.

But while police were processing Jones, it was discovered through a fingerprint check that Jones was actually Ronnie Ellis, 29, of 185 Clay St., New Haven, Smith said. Ellis also is wanted by the Waterbury Superior Court Parole Office because he is a "fugitive parole absconder," Smith said, which means he stopped reporting to his parole officer while on parole.

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He was then also charged with criminal impersonation, interfering with a police officer and third-degree forgery and held on an additional $50,000 bond.

The driver of the car, Quatisha Smith, 32, of 766 Winchester Ave., New Haven, was charged with operating without insurance and window tint without sticker. Smith was given a summons and released at the scene.


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