Dad Had Child, 2, In Stolen Vehicle, Nearly Struck Officer While Fleeing: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A New Haven man is accused of nearly striking an officer while fleeing in a stolen vehicle with his 2-year-old son in the backseat, according to Hamden Police. The man also fled on foot after a crash before returning to retrieve his son, police said.

The situation unfolded at about 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 18 when Hamden Police observed a stolen motor vehicle traveling northbound on Mix Avenue. As officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, the vehicle turned into a residential driveway located on Mix Avenue, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Officers Ronald Glifort and Andrew Lipford approached the vehicle. Smith said the vehicle, which was operated by Gamalier Estrada III, “sped in reverse in an alarming, reckless rate of speed directly toward Officer Glifort and his marked police vehicle.”

The vehicle “came within inches of striking Officer Glifort,” Smith said.

The vehicle subsequently fled at a high rate of speed and collided with another vehicle before coming to a stop after striking a tree and a utility pole, according to Smith.

Smith said Estrada promptly fled on foot, before returning to the vehicle to retrieve his 2 year-old son, who was seated in the backseat. Officers immediately placed him under arrest and transported him to police headquarters.

Estrada, 21, of Monroe Street in New Haven, was arrested on charges of third-larceny, risk of injury to a minor, first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with a police officer, engaging an officer in pursuit and operating under suspension.

Estrada, who was detained on a $50,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 3.

In addition, Estrada was arrested on the strength of five outstanding arrest warrants and the Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident, according to Smith.

Pictured: Gamalier Estrada III, 21, of New Haven / Hamden Police Department