Hamden Teen Strikes New Haven Officer with Stolen Car: Police

A Hamden teen was arrested Friday morning in New Haven for allegedly striking a police officer while driving a vehicle that was reported stolen in Hamden three days ago.

Officers from the New Haven Traffic Motor Division were ticketing red light runners on Temple Street between Chapel and Crown Streets at about 10 a.m., according to New Haven Police Spokesman Officer David B. Hartman.

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Hartman said that an offending vehicle was heading for the officers and Officer Robert DuPont was beside his motorcycle and signaled the operator to pull over.

However, the operator, a 17-year-old from Hamden, had other plans, Hartman said.

According to Traffic Division supervisor, Sergeant Steven Teague, the teenager behind the wheel pulled over to the left – and stopped. He then accelerated toward the officer and struck him with the car.

The teen then sped off and had three passengers – two other juveniles – ages 15 and 16 and an 18-year-old in the car, according to Hartman.

The fleeing car headed south on Temple Street and then west on North Frontage Road.

Hartman said Officer DuPont mounted his bike and went after him and the teen struck another vehicle near Park Street and got stuck in heavy traffic.

With nowhere to go, he gave up and was taken into custody.

Hartman said DuPont wasn’t seriously injured and no others were hurt.

The car, a Ford Explorer, was reported stolen in Hamden three days ago.

The Hamden teen, who didn’t have a license, was arrested on charges of first-degree larceny, assault on a police officer, two counts of risk of injury to minors, reckless driving and several motor vehicle charges.