Middletown Man Arrested After Crashing Stolen Car In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — Four people were arrested Thursday after a stolen vehicle crashed on Greens Farms Road, prompting a search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, according to Westport police.

The incident began during the overnight hours of Thursday, when a stationary license plate reader alerted officers to a stolen 2026 Genesis G70 entering Westport on Wilton Road near the Merritt Parkway. The vehicle had been reported stolen in Enfield, police said.

Officers searched the surrounding area but initially could not locate the vehicle.

Later that morning, an officer spotted the Genesis traveling on Compo Road South near Compo Beach Road. Police said the vehicle sped away after the driver saw a marked police cruiser.

The officer continued east on Greens Farms Road, believing the vehicle might be heading toward Interstate 95, and found it crashed near Prospect Road. The vehicle had sustained disabling damage.

Police said one person was seen running from the vehicle, while the responding officer heard other people nearby.

The crash occurred near open space and wetlands, where investigators later found shoes believed to have been lost by suspects attempting to flee through the mud.

Officers from Westport, Fairfield and Connecticut State Police established a perimeter around the area.

Police identified the first person apprehended as Christopher Whitley, 21, of Middletown. A police dog tracked Whitley to a hiding place near the crash site, authorities said.

Officers reported finding Whitley in possession of approximately 6 grams of suspected crack cocaine and 30 individual bags containing suspected fentanyl.

A second suspect, Jeremy Francis, 22, of Hartford, was apprehended on the northbound entrance ramp to I-95 at Exit 18, police said.

Meanwhile, the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received reports of a suspicious person walking without shoes on Oxford Road in Fairfield.

Officers located the man, identified as Jacun Harris, 22, of Hartford, at the Southport Diner at 3350 Post Road in Fairfield.

Police said Harris initially provided a false name and was uncooperative during booking. Officers reported finding approximately 4 grams of suspected crack cocaine in his possession.

Although officers initially believed they had apprehended everyone involved, they continued searching the crash site and surrounding area for evidence.

Investigators subsequently received information suggesting a possible fourth occupant of the stolen vehicle.

At approximately 11 a.m., police issued an advisory about the incident.

About 45 minutes later, a Greens Farms Road resident contacted police to report an injured man on his front porch who might need medical assistance.

Officers identified the man as Rhaquise Burgos, 18, of Hartford. Police allege Burgos was also an occupant of the stolen vehicle and took him into custody.

A records check showed Burgos had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in Hartford Superior Court, with a court-set bond of $750,000, police said.

Investigators also determined that Whitley had an active arrest warrant held by Hartford police.

The four suspects face the following charges and bonds:

• Rhaquise Burgos: Larceny of a motor vehicle, first offense; interfering with an officer; and first-degree failure to appear. Bond was set at $900,000.
• Jeremy Francis: Larceny of a motor vehicle, first offense, and interfering with an officer. Bond was set at $250,000.
• Jacun Harris: Possession of a controlled substance, first offense; larceny of a motor vehicle, first offense; and interfering with an officer. Bond was set at $75,000.
• Christopher Whitley: Reckless driving; possession of narcotics with intent to sell; possession of a controlled substance, first offense; larceny of a motor vehicle, first offense; and interfering with an officer. Bond was set at $250,000.

Police said none of the four could post bond. All were transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment Friday morning.

The Westport Police Department said the investigation involved assistance from Fairfield police, Bridgeport police, which provided a K-9 unit, and Connecticut State Police.