Teen, 17, Ditched Loaded Gun After Running From Crash: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A 17-year-old Hamden resident was arrested after police said he ran away from police after crashing into a utility pole and ditching a loaded gun on the front yard of a home on Saturday afternoon.

Police responded to the area of Whitney Avenue and Todd Street around 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 4 on the report of a one-vehicle crash. The caller said that the driver was last seen running away from the scene, heading west on Todd Street, according to Sgt. Angela Vey.

Vey said Officer Joseph Venditto found a Ford Fusion that had crashed into a United Illuminating utility pole and caused significant damage. Venditto checked the area of Todd Street for the driver and found a 17-year-old male matching the description given by witnesses, according to Vey.

While Venditto was speaking with the suspect, he turned from Venditto and began running east on Todd Street, according to Vey. Venditto ran after the suspect and saw him throw a gun onto the front yard of a home on Todd Street, Vey said.

Vey said Venditto fell during the chase and suffered a serious injury to his right arm, but was able to apprehend the suspect and took him into custody. Officer Joseph Mortali found the loaded 9mm handgun that the suspect discarded on Todd Street, along with a high capacity magazine that was also loaded, according to Vey.

The 17-year-old was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a dangerous weapon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, interfering with a police officer, evading responsibility and operating without a license. He was remanded to custody and taken to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention, according to Vey.