NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, August 9, 2005

HARTFORD POLICE MAKE TWO ARRESTS IN CURTISS STREET HIT AND RUN CASE.

(Hartford) - Detectives of the Hartford Police Department's Evidentiary Services Division (ESD) have impounded the car and made two arrests in their investigation of a hit and run incident where a young girl was seriously injured on Curtiss Street, Sunday, August 7th. 

Arrested and charged with Felony Evading Responsibility, Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License, Traveling Too Fast for Conditions, and Conspiracy to Hinder Prosecution is Brenda Cruz, DOB 10/10/85, of 19 Chadwick Street, Hartford.  Cruz, who remains in police custody on $200,000 bond,  was arrested on August 8th at 10:00 p.m. at her Chadwick Street home by ESD Detectives Claudette Kosinski and Anthony Perez, lead investigators in the case.

Following the arrest of Cruz, further information was obtained that led to the arrest of the passenger in the vehicle, Jeanet Rodriguez, DOB 4/24/84, of 417 Zion Street.  Rodriguez, who was arrested at Tuesday, August 9th at 3:00 a.m. at her Zion Street home, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Felony Evading Responsibility and Hindering Prosecution.  Rodriguez was released on $5,000 bond.

In commenting on the speed with which the investigation progressed and the subsequent arrests, ESD Commander Sergeant Jason Thody said "Since the call came in Detectives Kosinski and Perez have been relentless in their investigation, diligently processing forensic evidence from the scene, following up on more than twenty leads, and gathering information from the many cooperative witnesses, including the community, family, neighbors, and patrol officers.  The cooperation of the media and support of the public also played an key role in the investigation.  Our thanks go out to all those many individuals who helped in the investigation."

The Hartford Police Department's Evidentiary Services Division (ESD) is a CSI, or Crime Scene Unit.

Photos of Vehicle:  Photo 1 - Photo 2.
Brenda Cruz mug shot August 8, 2005
Jeanet Rodriguez mug shot August 9, 2005
 

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Hartford Police News
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