Pair caught after dragging trooper, officer

Chaplin, Conn. (WTNH) - After hiding for three days, police caught up with a young couple who dragged a state trooper and a Plainfield police officer behind their car for several feet.

22-year-old Mark Mills and 19-year-old Cara Cote arrived at the state police barracks in Danielson. Police say they were captured behind a home on Palmer Road in Chaplin at noon on Monday after being on the run since Friday night.

"Definitely a big big shocker to hear this," said Cote's former friend Danielle Barach.

Barach grew up next door to Cote and was one of several family and friends contacted by state police after the pair reportedly dragged state trooper Chris Toney and Plainfield canine officer Ken Davidson who was assisting with the routine traffic stop.

Police say Cote was behind the wheel of the Chevy Lumina when officers tried to remove Mills, who was wanted on arrest warrants, from the passenger seat. That's when he reportedly grabbed onto the officers dragging them along as he told Cote to take off.

"They asked if I could actually kind of coax her to come here and I mean her phone's off," Barach said.

She says Cote's family was very worried. Some relief might come with their safe capture but not with the very serious charges both face for the alleged assault on the officers. They are each being held on half a million dollars bond.

"Her boyfriend kind of drug her down hill and told her to go because he didn't want to get arrested and I think she felt pressure to drive off," Barach said.

In the end it was a tip which lead police to the Chaplin home and the couple's capture.

Mills is charged with two counts of assault on public safety /emergency personnel, two counts of interfering with an officer and two counts of first degree reckless endangerment.

Cote is charged with two counts of assault on public safety /emergency personnel, two counts of interfering with an officer, two counts of first degree reckless endangerment,  stop sign violation and failure to carry certificate registration/insurance.

Mills and Cote will be questioned and processed at the barracks and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.