Injured Naugatuck Police Lieutenant ID'd From Hit-And-Run Crash

NAUGATUCK, CT — The Naugatuck Police lieutenant, who was struck by a vehicle Thursday, suffered a shattered left ankle, broken right tibia and a broken right ankle in the crash, authorities announced.

Lt. Mark Pettinicchi, 47, a 19-year veteran of the department, was recuperating Friday from surgery at Waterbury Hospital.

"He has a lengthy recovery ahead of him," said Naugatuck Police Deputy Chief C. Colin McAllister during a media briefing Friday in front of police headquarters. "This incident highlights the dangers that officers face every day. And unfortunately, we're seeing an uptick in crime."

Pettinicchi was working an extra-duty traffic detail Thursday on South Main Street when Naugatuck police received a report of a shoplifting at the Walmart nearby on New Haven Road.

One of the suspects from that incident, Francis Joseph Ibell, 49, was caught after a brief foot chase, but two other suspects fled in a Honda Ridgeline.

"After signaling the Honda to stop, the Honda accelerated and struck [Lt. Pettinicchi] at his traffic post," police said. "Witness statements later obtained from the scene described the act as intentional."

After hitting the lieutenant, the vehicle, driven by 29-year-old New Haven resident Stanton Ragar Trent, drove off, with third suspect, Asia Shynise Paulin, 25, of Waterbury, in the passenger seat.

The pair led police on a chase into Waterbury and Wolcott, and were finally apprehended in Middlebury, according to police.

"The danger these suspects posed to the public was serious," McAllister said. "They totally disregarded the safety of the public."

In fact, the department investigating whether Trent and Paulin struck a school bus while in Waterbury.

During the chase, the two were seen throwing the following items out the window (all of which were recovered by police):

• More than $14,000 in cash
• 412 bags of heroin
• 11 grams of cocaine
• Loaded .380 pistol

Naugatuck police also released a surveillance photo of another vehicle, a silver Mazda SUV; police said the driver and occupants may be important witnesses of the incident. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Naugatuck police at 203-729-5221; confidential tips can be left at 203-720-1010.

Trent was charged with the following:

• Robbery, 1st degree
• Assault, 1st degree
• Possession of drugs with intent to sell (2 counts)
• Reckless endangerment, 2nd degree
• Reckless driving
• Engaging police in pursuit
• Carrying a pistol without a permit
• Weapon in motor vehicle
• Larceny, 6th degree

Paulin was held in lieu of bail of $300,000, and was charged with two counts of conspiracy at possession with intent to sell, and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Ibell was held in lieu of bail of $500,000, and was charged with:

• Robbery, 1st degree
• Larceny, 6th degree
• Interfering with an officer
• Possession of narcotics

All three remain in custody following their arraignments Friday, and they are scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court at a later date.

"It should be noted that when Trent was presented for arraignment, officers used Lt. Pettinicchi’s handcuffs," McAllister said. Additionally, a host of Naugatuck police officers were at the courthouse Friday to show their support for the lieutenant, reported WTNH-TV.

"The Naugatuck Police thank our partner agencies for their assistance in apprehending these suspects," McAllister said. "Also, we would like to thank the Naugatuck community which has shown an outpouring of support for not only Lt. Pettinicchi and his family, but also for the police department as a whole."