Man Wanted In Vehicle Theft Struck Police Cruiser In Getaway Attempt: North Haven Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A North Haven man who was wanted in connection with the theft of a vehicle was apprehended Tuesday on I-91 after fleeing from officers, and striking a police cruiser, according to police.

Police said North Haven officers responded on March 29 to the area of 100 State Street to assist Connecticut State Police with locating a vehicle that had fled during a traffic stop.

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Officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle, who police said reported that the vehicle had been stolen and identified the suspect as 30-year-old Osvaldo Beard-Beltran of North Haven.

Beard-Beltran was contacted by phone, and police said he admitted to taking the vehicle.

A short time later, police said officers saw the vehicle returning to the area and tried to initiate a traffic stop. The driver failed to comply, drove off the roadway over grass and a walkway, and fled the scene, according to police.

Police said an arrest warrant was obtained on April 10, charging Beard-Beltran with larceny of a motor vehicle, disobeying an officer’s signal, reckless driving, failure to maintain proper lane, and operating under suspension.

The West Haven Police Department notified North Haven Police on Tuesday that the same vehicle was involved in a larceny in their jurisdiction, according to police.

“After reviewing surveillance footage, North Haven officers identified one of the individuals involved as Osvaldo Beard-Beltran,” police wrote in a news release. “North Haven officers then conducted a canvass in the area of the registered owner’s residence and observed the involved vehicle enter a residential parking lot. Officers identified the operator as Beard-Beltran. In an attempt to evade apprehension, Beard-Beltran struck a North Haven police cruiser and fled the area, traveling down a driveway and across a grassy area.

“Beard-Beltran then engaged our officers in a pursuit prior to being stopped and apprehended on I-91 Southbound by our officers.”

Police said Beard-Beltran was taken into custody without further incident and charged with interfering with an officer, use of drug paraphernalia, engaging police in pursuit, disobeying an officer’s signal, reckless driving, evading responsibility, and operating under suspension.