Teen, 16, Breaks Officer’s Finger During Struggle: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A 16-year-old resident of The Children’s Center in Hamden is accused of breaking an officer’s finger during a struggle on Monday night, according to police. At about 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 5, police responded to The Children’s Center, located at 1400 Whitney Avenue, on the report of “six runaways,” according to Capt. Ronald Smith. The Children’s Center is a private, nonprofit child care agency for children who “struggle with serious emotional, behavioral, psychological and social issues,” according to its website.

Moments after responding to the center, police were informed that several juveniles were seen “breaking into unlocked motor vehicles” in the area of Carmalt Street, according to Smith. Officer Matthew Barbuto arrested a 16-year-old Children’s Center resident, who was running in several backyards, according to Smith.

Smith said the teen was taken to police headquarters where he “continuously threatened numerous officers and made several attempts at damaging a police camera.” An officer who attempted to stop him from damaging the police camera sustained a broken finger, according to Smith.

The juvenile, whose name wasn’t released due to his age, was charged with interfering with a police officer, second-degree threatening and escape from custody. He is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in Waterford on Feb. 15.

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