DERBY — A Naugatuck man carrying just over three pounds of marijuana led state police on a high-speed chase late Friday before a trooper caught up with him in a grocery store parking lot, police said.
Trooper Tory Marsden clocked a 2000 Honda speeding north on Route 8 at 83 mph in a 55 mph zone at 11:23 p.m. Friday, according to a press release.
The Honda’s driver, Nathan M. Araujo, 24, of 128 Gorman St., Naugatuck pulled onto the shoulder at Exit 13 before Marsden turned on his emergency lights, the release stated.
Marsden got out of his cruiser and began speaking with Araujo, but Araujo turned off his car’s lights and sped off along the highway before Marsden completed his investigation, according to the release.
The Honda was out of sight by the time Marsden returned to his cruiser, police said.
Marsden spotted the vehicle’s brake lights as the car turned off the highway at Exit 16 in Derby, and found the car parked in a handicap parking spot of the ShopRite plaza.
As he approached, Marsden saw Araujo try to hide himself behind a parked van, according to the release.
When Marsden got out of his cruiser, Araujo fled toward the woods on foot. Marsden’s K9, Titan, apprehended Araujo, and police took him into custody after he received medical assistance from Derby Emergency Medical Response, the release stated.
Police found six gallon-sized plastic bags and multiple sandwich bags containing a total of 3 pounds, one-quarter ounce of marijuana, electronic scales and $3,455 in cash in Araujo’s possession, according to the release.
Police charged Araujo with speeding, misuse of plates, no insurance, reckless driving, operating with suspended license, disobeying the direction of an officer/eluding officer, interfering with an officer, possession of a controlled substance greater than four ounces and possession with intent to sell a controlled substance.
Araujo was released on a $100,000 bond and will appear in Derby Superior Court on July 16.
