Trending Topics

Video: Conn. cops struck by stolen patrol car amid pursuit

Two officers are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, officials said

west haven police car.jfif

Kyle Jones, NBC Connecticut via Twitter

By Steven Goode
Hartford Courant

WEST HAVEN, Conn. — West Haven Police are investigating an incident in which several officers were injured during a chase.

West Haven Police Sgt. Patrick Buturla said that the incident began around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday after another agency notified them that a stolen car was observed exiting Interstate 95 at exit 43.

Buturla said the vehicle in question has been used in several robberies and purse snatches along shoreline communities over the past several days and that West Haven Police located it traveling in the area of First and Mix avenues.

Buturla said officers attempted to stop the vehicle which proceeded onto Campbell Avenue. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Campbell Avenue and West Spring Street the driver could not continue due to traffic congestion and collided with multiple vehicles, Buturla said.

According to Buturla, the male juvenile operator fled on foot and officers gave chase. While the second male juvenile occupant of the stolen vehicle was being apprehended, the operator returned and entered a West Haven Police Department patrol vehicle, Buturla said. The suspect reversed the patrol vehicle, striking several officers, he said.

As the operator accelerated the vehicle forward he narrowly missed running over one of the responding officers who took an evasive maneuver allowing him to escape serious physical injury or worse, Buturla said.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1346871919719501824

According to Buturla, the suspect drove the police vehicle through a fence at the Oak Grove cemetery, where it became disabled. The suspect then attempted to flee on foot and was stopped and arrested by officers, Buturla said.

“Both individuals arrested are confirmed to be juveniles. Two officers have been transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation and are being treated for non-life threatening injuries,” Buturla said

Buturla did not identify the suspects or the injured police officers.

https://twitter.com/KyleJonesNBC/status/1346875193126498304

(c)2021 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU