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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Friday, January 25, 2008

HARTFORD POLICE ARREST WINDSOR MAN FOR
CRIMINAL IMPERSONATING POLICE OFFICER AND
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

(Hartford) - Members of the Hartford Police Department's Southeast Conditions Team have arrested a Windsor man on charges of impersonating a police officer, possession of a firearm, and carrying a weapon in a vehicle.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning, Friday, January 25, 2008, in the vicinity of 109 Adelaide Street, Hartford, Southeast Conditions Officers Kevin Ouellette and Miguel Maldonado observed a vehicle following their marked cruiser too closely.  Upon conducting a motor vehicle stop, the operator, identified as Luis Torres, 37, of 94 Joshua Hill Road, Windsor, stepped out of the vehicle wearing a windbreaker with the Connecticut State Police emblem on the left breast and displayed a gold badge in a leather holder, telling the officers that he was a police officer.  For safety purposes, Torres was directed to return to his vehicle.  In interviewing Torres, Officers Ouellette and Maldonado were determined that Torres was not a police officer and also that he was in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. 

As Torres had impersonated a law enforcement officer and did not have a current pistol permit to possess a firearm, he was taken into custody by police and charged with Criminal Impersonation of a Police Officer, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Carrying Weapons in a Vehicle, and Failure to Drive a Reasonable Distance.  Torres bond was set at $250,000 pending arraignment in Hartford Superior Court.

In commenting on Torres' arrest, Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "Due to Officers Ouellette and Maldonado astute observance another firearm is off Hartford streets and an individual seeking to impersonate a law enforcement officer is in jail.  A great job by Officers Ouellette and Maldonado."

Luis Torres, DOB 12/7/1960

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Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 757-4021
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