Members of the Milford Police Narcotics and Vice Unit arrested Michael Pantoja, 44, of Fairfield on multiple offenses March 8 after they observed suspicious activity involving a vehicle in the parking lot of a Boston Post Road business.
While investigating the scene, detectives observed suspected drug materials inside the vehicle, prompting Pantoja to flee on foot from the detectives. Police say the foot chase ended when Pantoja re-entered his vehicle and sped off.
While evading capture, Pantoja refused to exit the vehicle, and police say he operated the vehicle in a reckless manner, resulting in three detectives suffering minor injuries. Pantoja then fled onto I-95 and was located in Fairfield, where he was taken into custody.
Milford police K-9 Judge assisted with the investigation and located crack cocaine and marijuana inside the vehicle.
Pantoja is charged with three counts of assault on a police officer, interfering with police, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, disobeying an officer’s signal, possession of narcotics, and possession of marijuana.
He was held on $100,000 bond.