Man Wanted For Assault With Hammer Leads East Haven, North Branford Police In Pursuit: Police

EAST HAVEN, CT, — The East Haven Police Department apprehended a parole violator after a serious assault investigation led officers to a residence in North Branford and then a pursuit that involved the suspect striking several vehicles before being taken into custody after a foot chase, police said.

The suspect engaged officers' in pursuit in North Branford and East Haven and it continued on the highway as well, police said, while adding a woman and an infant was in the suspect's car.

On March 3, Detective Joe Finoia was conducting surveillance at a residence in North Branford in regards to an active investigation regarding an assault with a hammer, police said. The suspect, Martezz Banks, 25, had several outstanding arrest warrants including one out of East Haven for first-degree assault in which he allegedly assaulted someone with a hammer during a dispute at a private residence, police said.

He was also wanted for a fully extraditable parole violation. While conducting surveillance, Finoia observed Bank’s vehicle idling in the parking lot and contacted the North Branford Police Department for assistance with conducting a motor vehicle stop if the vehicle went mobile, police said.

Soon after, an individual fitting Banks’ description got into the driver’s seat and proceeded south on Branford Road, police said. A North Branford officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Banks on Branford Road and approached the vehicle, police said.

As the officer approached Banks’ vehicle, he accelerated, engaging officers in a pursuit, police said. Banks continued south on Branford Road and west on Route 1 striking several unrelated vehicles in the process, police said.

He continued on to Interstate 95 southbound into East Haven. Banks exited the highway briefly at exit 51 (Frontage Road) but entered it again utilizing the next on ramp, police said. At this point, Officer John Fraenza entered the highway to assist Detective Finoia.

Banks continued on Interstate 95 to Interstate 91 and exited the highway at Exit 5 (State Street), police said. Banks encountered a large amount of traffic and collided with the rear of a vehicle stopped on the off ramp, police said.

Banks then exited his vehicle from the passenger side and fled on foot towards James Street, police said. Detective Finoia and Officer Fraenza pursued Banks on Foot until he surrendered on James Street under an overpass, police said. Banks was apprehended without further incident.

An inspection of the vehicle Banks was operating revealed a female and infant child within, police said. Neither occupant was injured but were transported to the hospital for precautionary measures.

Banks was also transported to the hospital for evaluation and was subsequently turned over to The New Haven Department of Parole for his Parole Violation warrant, police said. Banks remains in the custody of parole.

He will be served with East Haven’s active arrest warrant and will be charged additionally for the events that led up to his apprehension in the coming days, police said.

"Each time officers engage in a pursuit of a wanted suspect, they must weigh the possibility of a negative outcome against the offender’s active risk to public safety. It is a shame that Bank’s actions placed his passengers, including a young child, and the general public in harm’s way," said East Haven Police Lt. Joseph M. Murgo. "Detective Finoia and Officer Fraenza demonstrated professionalism and concern during their apprehension of a wanted felon; their successfully swift action in a potentially dangerous situation was in the best interest of the greater community."