Hit-And-Run Crash Broke Legs Of Naugatuck Police Officer: UPDATE

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck police officer suffered two broken legs Thursday afternoon when he was struck by the getaway vehicle from a shoplifting case at the Walmart on New Haven Road, according to authorities.

The officer's identity was not released, but the officer's injuries from the 4 p.m. crash will require surgery. A portion of New Haven Road, Route 63, was temporarily closed Thursday evening as a result of the investigation, but the road has since been reopened.

Naugatuck police said the officer was working on private-duty traffic assignment at the time, when the shoplifting was reported.

"A Naugatuck Police Officer arrived on scene and interrupted a suspect attempting to enter a waiting vehicle at 1081 New Haven Road," police said in a statement. "The suspect, subsequently identified as Francis Ibell, engaged the officer in a brief foot chase before being apprehended."

While all this was occurring, the getaway vehicle, a gray 2006 Honda Ridgeline, fled north on New Haven Road, where moments later, the vehicle struck the Naugatuck officer who was directing traffic near 561 South Main Street (Route 63).

The officer had signaled for the Honda to stop, but it accelerated and struck the officer at his traffic post.

"Witness statements later obtained from the scene described the act as intentional," police said. "Despite his injuries the officer was able radio for assistance and officers responded to area and initiated a pursuit with the Honda after it failed to stop."

The Honda led officers on a chase on Route 8 to Waterbury, to Wolcott, back through Waterbury on Route 8, and then onto Interstate 84 westbound. It was eventually stopped in Middlebury near the South Street overpass.

"During the course of the pursuit, the vehicle’s occupants discarded drugs, money, and a .380 pistol from the vehicle which was subsequently recovered and seized," police said.

Taken into custody were the driver, Stanton Ragar Trent, 29, of New Haven, and the passenger, Asia Shynise Paulin, 25, of Waterbury. As mentioned above, the third suspect, Francis Joseph Ibell, 49, was caught on foot near the Walmart.

Trent was held in lieu of bail of $1 million, and 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 are scheduled to be arraigned in Waterbury Superior Court on Friday.

Naugatuck police were assisted in the case by the Waterbury and Middlebury police departments, and Connecticut State Police. The scene of the collision with the Naugatuck officer was processed by investigators from the Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team.

"The Naugatuck Police thank our partner agencies for their assistance in apprehending these suspects," police said. "Incidents such as this highlight the dangers that police officers face every day and the danger of trying to apprehend suspects that jeopardize public safety."