Driver Struck 2 Police Cruisers; Found With Gun, Drugs: Hamden PD

HAMDEN, CT — A man was arrested early Monday morning after police said he struck two police cruisers and was later found in possession of a gun and drugs.

Police responded to the area of Dixwell Avenue and Palmer Avenue around 3:40 a.m. on the report of a suspicious vehicle, according to Sgt. Angela Vey. When officers approached the vehicle, it fled the area and struck two marked Hamden police cruisers, Vey said.

A motor vehicle accident was reported on Hope Avenue a short time later and the suspect vehicle was quickly located, according to Vey.

Vey said the driver was last seen running toward Palmer Avenue. Sgt. William May conducted a search of the area with his partner, K-9 Blaze, and found the driver, identified as Richard Atterberry, according to Vey.

Atterberry, 26, of Hamden, was found on the front porch of a Palmer Avenue residence that Vey said violated a current protective order issued against him. K-9 Blaze also found a handgun, ammunition and various narcotics near Atterberry, according to Vey.

Atterbery was charged with violation of protective order, evading responsibility, illegal possession of weapon in a motor vehicle, second-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, criminal possession of a pistol, possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a large capacity magazine and carrying a pistol without permit.

Atterberry was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 15.

No one was injured during the incident, Vey said.