On 03/22/2024 at approximately 2:47 p.m., Troop H – Hartford was advised of a collision on I-291 eastbound at Exit 4 in South Windsor. As Troopers were responding to the scene, Troop H dispatch received reports that two individuals were observed fleeing from the involved vehicle. South Windsor Police and East Hartford Police were contacted and responded to assist with the investigation.
Upon arriving at the eastbound Exit 4 off-ramp, Troopers observed an unoccupied Dodge Durango in the left lane at an uncontrolled final rest position, with its front wheels elevated and stuck on a guardrail attenuator.
A witness remained on the phone with Troop H dispatchers, providing updated information about the activities and location of the two individuals observed fleeing from the vehicle, one of whom was reported to be carrying a bag. During the investigation, the witness indicated that the two individuals appeared to be looking inside of a dumpster at a gas station located near the Exit ramp.
Shortly thereafter, Troop H was advised that Officers from South Windsor and East Hartford had located and detained two males at the gas station, who were identified as:
Jamal Clark, DOB: 08/25/2001, and Charles Brown, DOB: 08/08/1997, both of Springfield. Massachusetts.
At the gas station, an East Hartford Officer retrieved an “AK-style rifle and a Glock 9mm handgun from inside of the dumpster.
A CSP K-9 and an East Hartford K-9 were deployed in the areas where Clark and Brown had been observed and two additional firearms, an M4, 5.56 caliber rifle with a 30-round magazine, and a black Glock .40 caliber handgun with a 24-round magazine were located. Each of the recovered firearms was secured and processed as evidence in this investigation:
Based on the information obtained during the investigation, both Clark and Brown were placed under arrest and transported to Troop H in Hartford where they were processed and charged with the following violations:
Jamal Clark
C.G.S. 29-38 (4 Counts), Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 53-206 (4 Counts), Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
C.G.S. 53a-167a, Interfering with a Police Officer
C.G.S. 53a-217 (2 Counts), Criminal Possession of a Firearm
C.G.S. 53a-202c (2 Counts), Possession of a Machine Gun
C.G.S. 53-202x (2 Counts), Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine
C.G.S. 14-224, Evading Responsibility
C.G.S. 14-236, Failure to Maintain Proper Lane
Charles M. Brown
C.G.S. 29-38 (4 Counts), Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 53-206 (4 Counts), Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
C.G.S. 53a-217 (2 Counts). Criminal Possession of a Firearm
C.G.S. 53a-202c (2 Counts), Possession of a Machine Gun
C.G.S. 53-202x (2 Counts), Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine
Both Clark and Brown were held on $1,000,000 cash/surety bond and transferred to the custody of the CT Department of Correction at the Hartford Correctional Center pending their arraignment, scheduled on 03/25/2024, at Manchester Superior Court.
We thank our law enforcement partners at the South Windsor and East Hartford Police Departments for their swift response and investigative assistance. Additionally, we extend our thanks to witnesses whose information led to the recovery of unsecured firearms at the scene, allowing Troopers and Officers to secure evidence and further protect members of the public in the immediate area.
