SHARE

Police: Bridgeport Man Caught After Manhunt Dropped Stolen Gun During Chase

WESTPORT, Conn. — A man who was arrested after an hourlong manhunt in a Westport neighborhood on Saturday dropped a stolen handgun during the chase, police said Wednesday.  

Dahonta Robert-Hilliard

Dahonta Robert-Hilliard

Photo Credit: Westport Police Department

At about 11 a.m. Saturday, Officer Taylor Field stopped a suspicious vehicle on Bridge Street and asked the driver — Dahonta J. Robert-Hilliard, 27, of Bridgeport — to step out, police said.

Robert-Hilliard got out of the car and took off running, police said. In the process, he dropped a handgun, police said. 

Further investigation by Westport police determined the firearm was stolen during a residential burglary in Raleigh, N.C., in 2016. 

Robert-Hilliard’s bond was increased to $500,000 at his arraignment on Monday, Oct. 16. In addition to the bond, there is also a federal detainer for him. 

Robert-Hilliard was charged with carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, weapons in a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary, interfering with an officer and criminal possession of a pistol or revolver.

Additional charges will be forthcoming, police said. 

His next scheduled court appearance is Nov.15. He remains in custody.

Related story: Westport Police Manhunt Tracks Down Bridgeport Man Who Dropped Gun

In the incident, Field chased Robert-Hilliard and saw him drop the firearm, police said.

The officer stopped to secure the firearm, which was near an apartment complex, police said.

Officers immediately established a perimeter in the area and alerted residents in the neighborhood via the Code Red system to the situation.

The alert advised residents that officers were searching for a possibly armed suspect in the area and to remain in their homes.

Police gave a description of the suspect, and residents were asked to contact police if he was spotted, police said.

A K-9 unit conducted a track, which led officers through backyards of the residential neighborhood, police said. Additional units and K-9 teams from other towns assisted with the search.

At about noon, officers located Robert-Hilliard in the shed of a backyard of a Keyser Road home, about a block from the traffic stop, police said.

During his capture, Robert-Hilliard sustained wounds from the K-9, police said, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries.

Robert-Hilliard was additionally charged with the following motor vehicle violations: operating an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of plates, improper display of marker plate and operating a motor vehicle under suspension.

He was held originally on $250,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on Oct. 24.

The Westport Police Department thanked the Fairfield and Norwalk Police Departments for their assistance.

to follow Daily Voice Stratford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE