Driver Rammed 2 Police Cruisers In North Haven: Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — An Enfield man is accused of ramming two police cruisers while trying to get away from police Saturday morning in North Haven, according to officials.

North Haven officers found a “suspicious” vehicle parked on the side of the road in the Dixwell Avenue area with a man in the driver’s seat who appeared to be unconscious, according to police.

Police said the officers saw drug paraphernalia in the man’s lap as they approached him. The man awoke and sped off and nearly struck the officers, according to police.

Two officers tried to stop the vehicle a short time later, police said. The driver stopped, but then “reversed his vehicle ramming two North Haven Police cruisers,” according to police.

The man, identified as Michael Cancel, was taken into custody after a brief pursuit, police said.

Cancel was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, engaging officers in pursuit, reckless driving, operation a motor vehicle under suspension, evading responsibility, interfering with officers, assault on a police officer, and criminal trespass. He was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Police said Cancel is also a parole fugitive with an active arrest warrant out of New Haven.