Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 2nd Suspect Caught in Old Greenwich Gun for Drug Deal

Suspect is identified as a Darien resident.


Updated: 8:18 p.m., Sept. 26:

A realistic-looking handgun BB-gun is what apparently was used in a botched gun-for drug deal in Old Greenwich earlier this week, according to Greenwich Police.

The deal, which police would not comment on how they became aware of, was the crux of a massive manhunt in Old Greenwich on Sept. 23. Once suspect was arrested at the scene and a short time later, officers were located "a gun that was a realistic-looking handgun...a BB gun," said Lt. Kraig Gray, a department spokesman.

One suspect was arrested at the scene and a second suspect was charged on Sept. 25. That suspect, Todd W. Pleasants, 23, who gave an address of 12 Ledge Rd., Darien, is accused of breaking into a home on Rockmere Avenue in Old Greenwich, not far from where the alleged gun-for-drug deal went down.
The deal involved the exchange of "pills," Gray said. He would not elaborate.

The keys to a 2005 Ford Explorer were stolen during the burglary of the Rockmere home, Gray said. The vehicle was later found in Bridgeport, Gray said. 

Pleasants is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond.


Original story: 10:45 a.m., Sept. 26:

Greenwich Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the reported gun for drug deal that prompted a dragnet in Old Greenwich earlier this week.

According to a police report, the suspect is a Darien resident who surrendered to Darien Police about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 25. Greenwich Police had obtained an arrest warrant charging Todd W. Pleasants, 23, who gave an address of 12 Ledge Rd., Darien, with several counts including first-degree burglary and two counts of involving the illegal transfer of a firearm.

Pleasants was in Greenwich Police custody Thursday morning, unable to post $150,000 bond. He also faces charges of criminal attempt at the illegal transfer of a firearm, conspiracy to commit illegal transfer of a firearm, second-degree larceny, interfering with a police officer, conspiracy and criminal attempt. He was assigned an Oct. 2 appearance date in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Pleasants is the second suspect arrested in connection with the Sept. 23 incident that began on East Putnam Avenue near Ferris Drive. As police moved in to break up an apparent drug deal "for which the currency was a firearm," one of the suspects fled, prompting a large scale manhunt in the Old Greenwich neighborhood. Dozens of officers searched for the suspect along with canine units from the Greenwich, Stamford and Metropolitan Transit Authority police departments, searched for several hours.

That night, police arrested 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 remains in custody in lieu of the $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to state Superior Court in Stamford on Oct. 16.


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