In the streets of St. Albans Town, Vermont, a routine Sunday turned into a pulse-pounding scene straight out of a Hollywood thriller. On August 24, 2025, the St. Albans Police Department responded to a citizen’s complaint about suspected drug activity, setting off a chain of events that culminated in a dramatic chase, a crash, and the arrest of two individuals now facing a slew of serious charges.
It all began when officers, acting on the tip, zeroed in on a suspicious vehicle cruising through the town. With precision and vigilance, they initiated a motor vehicle stop, pulling over the car driven by 29-year-old Jose Coiscou-Mercedes of Staten Island, New York. Accompanying him was 27-year-old Brandy Perez of Springfield, Massachusetts. What should have been a standard interaction quickly escalated into chaos when Coiscou-Mercedes, in a brazen move, floored the accelerator and sped off, defying the officers’ commands.
The pursuit tore through the streets of St. Albans, with Coiscou-Mercedes driving in what police described as a “gross and negligent manner.” His reckless bid for freedom came to an abrupt end on Swanton Road, where he lost control of the vehicle and crashed in a jarring collision. Undeterred, Coiscou-Mercedes and Perez abandoned their wrecked car and fled on foot, plunging into a nearby wooded area in a desperate attempt to evade capture.
But the St. Albans Police were relentless. With swift coordination, officers tracked the pair through the dense woods, apprehending both suspects without further incident. A search of the area revealed a chilling discovery: a loaded firearm, discarded by the fleeing duo in their frantic escape. The weapon, now in police custody, added a dangerous layer to an already volatile situation.
Further investigation uncovered evidence of drug activity, with authorities seizing a quantity of cocaine linked to the suspects. Coiscou-Mercedes and Perez were promptly taken into custody and transported to the Northwest State Correctional Facility, where they are being held on a litany of charges. Both face accusations of resisting arrest, eluding a police officer, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of cocaine. Additionally, Coiscou-Mercedes is charged with reckless endangerment and grossly negligent operation of a vehicle, while the discovery of the firearm has raised the stakes, with potential weapons-related charges pending further investigation.
The St. Albans Police Department, commended for their quick response and decisive action, emphasized their commitment to community safety. “This incident underscores the dangers of drug-related activity and the lengths to which individuals will go to evade justice,” a department spokesperson stated. “We are grateful for the community’s vigilance in reporting suspicious behavior, which allowed us to act swiftly and remove these individuals from our streets.”
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in combating drug trafficking and related crimes in small-town America. For now, Coiscou-Mercedes and Perez remain behind bars, awaiting their day in court, while the people of St. Albans breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing their community is a little safer tonight.