Naugatuck Man Has Armed Encounter With Police, Crashes Car

NAUGATUCK, CT — A local man is facing charges after he allegedly had an armed encounter with New Haven Police then crashed his car into a house Sunday afternoon, according to police. Daniel O. Akinsanya, 30, of Naugatuck, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree threatening, engaging police in a pursuit, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and numerous other charges.

Police said the incident started at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday in the area of Ferry Street and Exchange Street in the Fair Haven neighborhood. A 911 caller reported being threatened by a motorist with a shotgun.

The victim pointed out the motor vehicle to an arriving officer as the suspect drove away. Officers attempted to stop the car as it traveled across the Ferry Street bridge and through the Fair Haven Heights neighborhood.

After a brief pursuit, the motorist returned to Fair Haven and crashed into a residence on Front Street near Second Street, according to police.

Officers conducted a felony traffic stop and pulled the uncooperative motorist from the vehicle as it began to smoke and catch fire. From the front seat of the vehicle, officers seized a rifle with a sawed off barrel, ammunition, and a quantity of narcotics and controlled substances.

New Haven Fire responded and extinguished the small fire.

Akinsanya was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

His bond was set at $500,000 and was scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court Monday.

NHPD Patrol Commander Lieutenant Mark O’Neill thanked the officers and said, “Patrol Division officers did a fantastic job dealing with an armed, non-compliant individual. The officers showed tremendous restraint and professionalism in safely resolving the incident.”