4 New Haven Teens Arrested on Weapons, Drugs, Stolen Car Charges in Hamden

HAMDEN, CT - Four New Haven men were arrested Sunday night after police said they led officers on a chase before crashing the stolen car they were riding in on Gilbert Avenue in Hamden.

And in addition to recovering the stolen car, police also seized 27 bags of crack cocaine from one of the suspects at the time of the arrests, and a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm. Both the car and handgun were reported stolen in Hamden.

The incident began at about 8:30 p.m., when the owner of the stolen car saw it at the drive-thru at McDonald's on Dixwell Avenue and notified the police.

"Officer Andrew Lipford arrived and attempted to apprehend the four occupants," wrote Captain Ronald Smith in a statement. "The operator of the vehicle, who was later identified as Eric Lumpkin, recklessly sped towards Officer Lipford’s police vehicle, nearly striking it. A pursuit ensued onto Lexington Avenue, Circular Avenue and Gilbert Avenue. Lumpkin subsequently lost control of the stolen vehicle and struck a utility [pole] on Gilbert Avenue."

Officer Sara Redding arrested Yusef Dobbs, who was seated in the backseat of the stolen vehicle. Officer Lipford and Officer Gabe Garcia arrested Lumpkin and Michael Baldwin, who also was seated in the car, after a brief foot pursuit.

Sergeant Jason Venditto and his K-9 partner “Viking” arrested the fourth occupant, Koree Charles, after a lengthy foot pursuit, according to Smith. "Viking began his track on Newcastle Drive. He proceeded to Hodder Drive, eventually locating [Charles] on Wintergreen Avenue."

Baldwin was in possession of the 27 bags of crack, police said, and the stolen firearm was found on the ground next to the stolen car.

Arrested on the below charges were the following:

• Michael Baldwin, 18, of 157 Greenwood Street, #2, New Haven. He was charged with Theft of a Firearm, Weapons in a Motor Vehicle, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Possession of Narcotics, Possession of Narcotics with the Intent to Sell, Larceny in the 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the 2nd Degree and Interfering with a Police Officer. Baldwin, who was detained on a $100,000 bond, was scheduled to appear in court in Meriden today, April 11.
• Eric Lumpkin, 19, of 945 Sherman Avenue, New Haven. He was charged with Larceny in the 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the 2nd Degree, Interfering with a Police Officer, Reckless Driving and Failure to Obey an Officer’s Signal. Lumpkin, who was detained on a $25,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.
• Yusef Dobbs, 18, of 34 Greenwood Street, New Haven. He was charged with Larceny in the 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the 2nd Degree and Interfering with a Police Officer. Dobbs, who was detained on a $25,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.
• Koree Charles, 18, of 18 Fowler Street, New Haven. He was charged with Larceny in the 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the 2nd Degree and Interfering with a Police Officer. Charles, who was detained on a $25,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court on April 25.

Photo: Clockwise from top left, Michael Baldwin, Koree Charles, Eric Lumpkin and Yusef Dobbs. Photo credit: Hamden Police Department