Late Night Car Stop Quickly Goes From Routine to Wild As Driver, 22, Takes Off, Crashes, Flees On Foot: NHPD

NEW HAVEN, CT—Police said a late-night attempted traffic stop on Wednesday soon turned into a crash and drug arrest.

Around 9:45 p.m., officers from the New Haven Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit and Shooting Task Force, along with the Connecticut State Police Violent Crime Task Force, were conducting targeted enforcement operations across the city, officials posted to "X."

Officers tried to pull over an Acura near Columbus Avenue and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, as the license plate didn’t match the vehicle, police said.

Instead of stopping, the driver sped off recklessly, police charged. Officers chose not to chase the car due to safety concerns for the public, officials said.

A short time later, police were alerted that the same Acura had run a red light at Whalley Avenue and Winthrop Avenue, crashing into two other vehicles with the driver fleeing on foot, police said.

Officers got a description of the suspect—later identified as Todd Purdue, 22, of Meriden—and found him a short distance away on Sherman Avenue, police said.

Inside the car, police said, officers found crack cocaine packaged for sale, digital scales, and a small amount of cash.

Purdue was charged with engaging police in a pursuit, reckless driving, evading responsibility, interfering with an officer, drug possession, possession with intent to sell, and many traffic-related charges.

His bond was set at $25,000.

Police also discovered he had two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court, which were served as well, officials said.