Newington Police Officer Assaulted During Scuffle

NEWINGTON, CT — A New Britain man was arrested early Saturday morning after leading police on a brief vehicle chase, then assaulting and injuring an officer while being taken into custody, a police spokesman said.

Mark Stewart, 45, was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with an officer and failure to drive in proper lane. He was released after posting $25,000 bond, and is slated to appear in New Britain Superior Court Nov. 13.

A Newington police officer conducting traffic enforcement for violations on New Britain Avenue in the area of Twin City Plaza observed a Cadillac XTS sedan commit a violation and attempted to effect a traffic stop around 5:40 a.m. The vehicle failed to stop until it reached a driveway on Chapman Street in New Britain, Sgt. Christopher Perry said.

The driver, later identified as Stewart, exited his vehicle as the officer pulled behind him. The officer instructed Stewart to return to his vehicle several times, but Stewart refused. He then re-opened his car door and reached inside behind the driver seat, slammed the car door shut and fled westbound towards Carlson Street, Perry said.

The Newington officer gave chase and located Stewart banging on a door of a multi-family home at 31 Carlson Street. The officer attempted to take Stewart into custody, but he resisted and the two wrestled. The officer injured his right shoulder, making it extremely difficult to get Stewart under control, but ultimately was able to get him handcuffed, Perry said.

Perry added the injured officer has not yet been able to return to work.

Photo courtesy of Newington Police Department