Wanted In Connection to Drug Investigation, Man, 48, Charged By Cops During Crime Suppression Detail

EAST HAVEN, CT —The East Haven Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit made another arrest this past weekend as proactive enforcement efforts continue to address ongoing quality of life concerns throughout the community, Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

On May 2, unit members learned that a Cadillac CTS with stolen Connecticut tags was in the area of Laurel Street, Murgo said. Police saw the car driving west on Laurel and identified the operator as Damian Towson, 48, of Branford. Towson had previously fled from a motor vehicle stop, related to a narcotics distribution investigation, on April 9, 2026. Towson had an active arrest warrant out of East Haven for that incident, Murgo said.

"To avoid another pursuit, as Towson had an active arrest warrant for leading officers in a prior pursuit, and due to the conditions of the roadway at that location, officers deployed stop sticks to safely disable the vehicle," the police captain said. Towson was taken into custody in the area of Eastern and Clifton streets in New Haven after "driving a short way on four flat tires," Murgo said

East Haven police K9 Officer Stephen Marsico and his partner, K9 Mack, conducted a "free air sniff," of the car, Murgo said. "Mack indicated the presence of narcotics emanating from the vehicle," and a search by cops found 7 grams of methamphetamine, along with glass smoking pipes and digital scales, Murgo said.

Towson was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and motor vehicle charges.

The outstanding arrest warrant was related to fleeing a traffic stop on Main Street in April, which led to Towson being charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, and sale of an amphetamine type substance, police said. He was held on $50,000 bail.