1 of 2 Suspects Busted in Suspected Gun for Drug Deal in Old Greenwich

The manhunt in Old Greenwich late Monday was the culmination of a drug deal during which a firearm was used to pay for the illicit contraband, according to Greenwich Police.

The incident began about 10:30 p.m., Sept. 23 in the 1200 block of East Putnam Avenue, near Ferris Drive, according to police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray. "There was a drug deal in which the currency was reported to be a firearm," Gray said in a recorded press release. 

"During the arrests of the suspects, one of the suspects fled and was unable to be located. Due to the proximity to Stamford and I-95, officers from those jurisdictions were called in," Gray said. "Canine units of the Stamford Police Department, the Greenwich Police Department and the bloodhound from the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Police were used, none of which were successful."

Despite the efforts of dozens of police officers combing the area, police did not recover the weapon or locate the second suspect. They also did not identify the type of firearm believed to have been involved. 

The suspect who was caught by police was identified as  Mark T. Pelazza, 24, who gave an address of 1197 Hope St., Stamford. He was charged with sale of a firearm, conspiracy and criminal attempt. Pelazza's role in the incident was not immediately available from police.

Pelazza was held in lieu of $75,000 bond and was scheduled to appear Sept. 23 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

*Editor's note: this story was updated to correct a reference to Ferris Drive.