Man Steals Van, Crashes Into Cop Car In Southbury: State Police

SOUTHBURY, CT — A New York man is accused of trying to steal a van from a Southbury garage, hitting a Southbury police officer's vehicle and then crashing the stolen van into a large tree before being taken into custody, State Police said.

Eric A. Feye, 34, of Putnam Valley, New York is facing numerous charges including third-degree burglary, first-degree larceny, engaging police in pursuit, and assault on a public safety employee. He was released on a $75,000 bond.

It all began at 8:10 p.m. Friday as Southbury Police Officer Anthony Armeno responded to Parsell's Auto Service at 616 Main St. South for an alarm. Armeno saw footsteps in the snow leading to a large garage bay that was slightly opened, State Police said.

He saw a work utility van inside the garage start up and its reverse lights came on. The van smashed through the large garage bay door and struck Armeno's police SUV, State Police said. The officer tried to stop the stolen vehicle and pursued the suspect on Main Street South toward Route 172, State Police.

Debris from the garage door and ladders fell off the van, State Police said. The vehicle then veered off of Route 172 into some bushes and rolled over multiple times, crashing into a large tree, State Police said. Feye was removed from the vehicle by the Southbury Fire Department and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Feye was processed at Troop A after he was discharged from the hospital.

Image via State Police