Alleged One-Man Crime Spree in West Hartford Leads to Arrest

A 38-year-old New Britain man is facing a litany of charges after he was arrested by West Hartford police on Wednesday morning for allegedly trying to steal two cars at gunpoint, among other things.

Police responded to a scene in which a suspect, later identified as James Walker, 38, allegedly shot a firearm at a silver sedan on Oakwood Avenue after he attempted a carjacking in West Hartford around 10 p.m., according to a police report.

Walker and the resident of 30 Oakwood Ave. had returned to West Hartford from Capon Street in Hartford; Walker had paid the West Hartford resident $20 for a ride, according to Lt. Ted Stoneburner. Upon arriving at 30 Oakwood Ave., Walker got out of the car, went around the vehicle and demanded the driver get out of the car and hand over his wallet and cell phone, Stoneburner said.

The driver sped off, with Walker firing two shots at the vehicle, striking it once, Stoneburner said.

Police then arrived, setting up a perimeter, according to the police report.

Walker was then seen running toward Troy Street, where police learned that Walker allegedly pointed a gun at a victim at 45 Troy St., telling him to hand over his car keys and cell phone, according to the report.

“With officers in foot pursuit, [Walker] was unable to steal the car,” the report states.

Walker then allegedly ran west onto Beverly Road where another officer saw him run behind 101 Beverly Road, according to the report. A West Hartford police K-9 officer was called to the scene and located Walker leaving the rear of 192 Arnoldale Road with the homeowner, the report says. 

"He damaged the door at the address," Stoneburner said. He came out with the homeowner, whom he did not know, apparently as cover, Stoneburner.

He was positively identified as the suspect and was taken into custody, according to police.

Walker had in his possession two stolen cell phones, $70 cash and cocaine, according to the report. The handgun, a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson with spent rounds, and stolen car keys were also recovered, the report says.

“It was then determined that he attempted to break into the second-floor apartment at 192 Arnoldale Road as well,” the report states. Walker had damaged the door in the second-floor apartment at 192 Arnoldale, but did not access the apartment, Stoneburner said.

Walker was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal attempt at carjacking, two counts of reckless endangerment, weapons on a motor vehicle, breach of peace, two counts of disorderly conduct, two counts of first-degree threatening, attempted first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny, fifth-degree larceny, interfering with an officer and possession of narcotics.

"He was sort of a one-man wrecking crew," Stoneburner said.