Police: Shelton armed robbery leads to pursuit over 100 mph into Hartford

Police say a vehicle involved in an armed robbery in Shelton crashed in Hartford following a pursuit along Interstate 91 north that reached speeds over 100 mph.

The chain of events began around 7:30 p.m. Monday, when police officers in Shelton were called to a liquor store on Howe Avenue after a reported armed robbery.

“It was reported that a white male approximately 40-50 years old entered the store and displayed an AR15 type rifle and demanded money,” Shelton police Lt. Robert Kozlowsky said in a news release Tuesday morning. The man left with cash and items, according to Shelton police.

Using video surveillance, officers were able to identify the car involved in the armed robbery on Howe Avenue.

Around 10 p.m., West Haven police located the suspect’s car, identified by Connecticut State Police as a GMC Terrain.

State police said West Haven police asked them to help stop the vehicle around 10:50 p.m. Monday.

State police said the driver “failed to stop and engaged police in pursuit,” speeding over 100 mph before exiting I-91 at Exit 33 in Hartford.

The GMC then collided with a metal guardrail on Jennings Road, where the two occupants were apprehended, state police said.

State police identified the driver as 49year-old Bridgeport resident Jose Balseiro Reyes. A 37-year-old Woodbridge resident who was a passenger in the vehicle was also arrested, state police said.

Shelton police said Balseiro was charged with first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny in connection with the alleged holdup of the liquor store. He was also charged with violation of probation. He was held on $225,000 bond and is due to be arraigned in state Superior Court in Derby on Tuesday.

State police said both sustained “minor injuries” during the crash and were hospitalized. State police said Hartford police are investigating the crash. A Hartford police spokesperson directed questions about the incident to state police.