Officers Injured Apprehending Car Burglars In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Two police officers were injured while apprehending two car burglary suspects early Saturday morning, according to police. At about 5:15 a.m. on Nov. 25, Hamden Police responded to Hillcrest Avenue on the report of suspicious activity. Residents observed two individuals attempting to enter motor vehicles, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said moments later, Officer Timothy Janus and Officer William Pesanelli detained the two suspects in the vicinity of a nearby service station. Further investigation revealed that they were responsible for forcibly entering vehicles on Hillcrest Avenue, according to Smith.

Nasjear Johnson, 18, of New Haven, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. The second individual, a 15-year-old New Haven resident, “violently pulled away” from officers and fled on foot, according to Smith. The juvenile was subsequently apprehended near the Farmington Canal Trail.

Smith said two officers suffered injuries during the incident and were both treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Johnson, 18, of Watson Street in New Haven, was charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny. Johnson, who was detained on a $2,500 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 5.

The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit sixth-degree larceny, two counts of assault on a police officer and interfering with a police officer. The juvenile is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on Dec. 5.

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