Newtown PD Nabs Danbury Man After Wild, 3-Hour Backyard Chase

NEWTOWN, CT — Police apprehended a Danbury man accused of burglary after chasing him through backyards in Newtown.

A Newtown police officer pulled over Joao Gabril Almeida-Bastos, 21, on Sunday at 11:37 a.m. for a routine traffic stop. As the officer exited his cruiser, Almeida-Bastos conducted a U-turn and accelerated northbound on Toddy Hill Road, according to the officer's report. The driver then left the southbound shoulder of the road and crashed at the intersection with Turkey Roost Road, before exiting his vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Further investigation revealed that this vehicle was reported stolen in Danbury several days prior, police said.

The Newtown Police Department along with the assistance of Connecticut State Police and multiple police K-9 officers conducted a search through the neighborhoods around Clearview Drive, Hitfield Road, Mile Hill Road South, and South Main Street, police said. Their search was assisted by phone calls from multiple Newtown citizens who observed the suspect and provided valuable information including location and description, according to police.

Police said they caught up with the suspect at around 2:52 p.m., when a Toddy Hill Road resident observed him in their backyard attempting to unsuccessfully open the locked back door of the home.

Almeida-Bastos was taken to Danbury Hospital, where he was evaluated for multiple cuts and lacerations from running through the woods.

Police charged him with multiple vehicle-related crimes, including driving without a license, reckless driving, and first-degree criminal trover. Almeida-Bastos was also charged with second-degree burglary, larceny, engaging police in pursuit, and resisting arrest. He is being held on a $100,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court the next day.