Meriden Police Department

03/09/2026

Date: August 31, 2026
Incident: FIREARM ARREST/NARCOTIC ARREST

MERIDEN, CT — During the month of August 2026, members of the Meriden Police Department’s Patrol Division responded to an apartment complex for a report of a bullet hole in a wall. The investigation determined that a firearm had been discharged from one apartment into another.
The investigation was turned over to members of the Meriden Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU). As a result of the investigation, MCU detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant for the apartment where the discharge of the firearm was believed to have originated.
The occupant of the apartment was identified as Joshua Kelly. Kelly was also found to have an active arrest warrant issued by the Middletown Police Department.
Members of the Meriden Police Department’s SWAT Team, Crime Suppression Unit, and Major Crimes Unit, along with members of the Middletown Police Department, assisted with the investigation and the service of the search warrant.
As officers arrived in the area, Kelly, who was standing in the apartment parking lot, fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, Kelly discarded a crossbody bag. Kelly was quickly apprehended.
The crossbody bag was recovered and found to contain a stolen firearm, a high-capacity magazine, approximately 5 grams of fentanyl, and approximately 54 grams of crack/cocaine.
Kelly is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing fi****ms.
Kelly was charged with the following offenses:
Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Theft of a Firearm
Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit
Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine
Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell
Kelly was held on a $500,000 bond.
The Meriden Police Department will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who illegally possess fi****ms or distribute narcotics in our community. Our residents and visitors deserve to feel safe, and we will use every available resource to ensure that happens.
The City of Meriden is proud to be served by some of the finest law enforcement officers in the State of Connecticut. Their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public safety are reflected in the work they perform each day to protect our community.
If you come to the City of Meriden to commit crimes or endanger the public, you will be apprehended and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

To report tips for narcotics activity, email the Crime Suppression Unit or call 203-630-6273
To report tips for violent crimes, email the Major Crimes Unit or call 203-630-6253

02/09/2026

MERIDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Meriden Police Department – Special Crimes Unit has arrested, Johnny Perez-Mendez (DOB: 05/09/1994) and Genesis Perez-Acevedo (DOB: 10/20/1993) in connection to an investigation of an alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old female.

This investigation began in June of 2026. On August 28, 2026, Johnny Perez-Mendez turned himself into the Meriden Police Department and was charged with Sexual Assault in the First Degree, Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree, Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Risk of Injury to Child in violation of C.G.S 53a-70(a)(2), 53a-73a, 53a-83b and 53-21. Johnny is currently being held on $250,000 court set bond and was provided the court date of August 31, 2026, at Meriden Superior Court.

Subsequently, Genesis was taken into custody and charged with Risk of Injury to a Child in violation of C.G.S. 53-21. She is currently being held of a $75,000 Surety bond and was provided with the court date of August 31, 2026, at Meriden Superior Court.

The Meriden Police Department remains committed to protecting children and holding those who prey upon them accountable.
We also want to recognize the incredible courage of the young victim in this case. Finding the strength to use her voice and speak about what happened was an important and powerful step. Her bravery allowed investigators to act, seek accountability, and protect others.
Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and protected. The Meriden Police Department will continue standing with victims, supporting families, and work relentlessly to keep offenders away from our children and our community.

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

Meriden Police Department’s K9 Beskar to get donation of body armor.

K9 Beskar will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Beskar’s vest was sponsored by Lou and Dottie Zarrella of Manchester, CT and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 6,513 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $1,050 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lbs., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call (508) 824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

27/08/2026

25/08/2026

The Meriden Police Department announces the arrest of seven individuals following an undercover operation targeting adults attempting to engage in sexual activity with a person they believed to be a minor between the months of June and July.

Each individual was taken into custody after allegedly arranging to meet with a person they believed to be under the age of consent for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Upon arriving at the predetermined meeting location, each suspect was safely taken into custody by members of the Meriden Police Department.
The individuals have been charged with violation of the following Connecticut General Statues; 53-49/53-21(a)(2)* Criminal Attempt at Risk of Injury – Sexual Contact Victim Under 16, 53a-49/53a-71 Criminal Attempt – Sexual Assault in the 2nd Degree, 53a-49/53a-83b Criminal Attempt / Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor. All were held on a $500,000 Surety Bond.

The Meriden Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Operations such as these are designed to identify and apprehend individuals who seek to exploit children before they have the opportunity to victimize an actual child. Protecting children and ensuring the safety of our community will continue to be a top priority. We are committed to proactively investigating crimes against children, holding offenders accountable, and working tirelessly to create a safer community for every family.

The Meriden Police Department would like to extend its sincere appreciation to our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their invaluable assistance during this operation. Their collaboration, professionalism, and shared commitment to protecting children were instrumental in the success of this investigation.

11/08/2026

Today marks the 7th anniversary of Mr. Huertas death. John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven, and Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado are reminding the public that there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Francisco J. Huertas.

On August 11, 2019, Mr. Huertas was fatally shot outside of an Allen Avenue home in Meriden. An intensive investigation was conducted by the Meriden Police Department with the assistance of the State of Connecticut Division of Scientific Services Forensic Science Laboratory. Meriden Police have devoted countless hours and resources to the investigation and continue to vigorously pursue any leads. Despite these efforts, no arrest has been made in connection with his death. The Meriden Police Department is investigating new leads that are aligned with holding the individual(s) responsible for this crime accountable.

The public is advised not to underestimate the significance of what they may know and not to assume that law enforcement must already possess that information. Sometimes a small piece of information may be what investigators need to solve a case and achieve a successful prosecution.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. Sgt. Simonson of the Meriden Police Department at (203) 630-6318 or [email protected] or [email protected].