Man Charged With Ramming East Lyme Police Cruiser: PD

EAST LYME, CT — A man has been charged in connection with ramming a police vehicle and driving at an officer in April, according to police. Robert Amato, 59, of East Haven, was charged with interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, assault on a public safety officer, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Police said Amato was arrested on a warrant Sunday. Amato was recently arrested by East Haven police then transferred to Orange and Groton Town police for warrants those departments held.

Police said Amato was charged in connection with a April 26 incident. An East Lyme police officer was assisting Groton Town police with identifying a vehicle reported to be parked at Exit 74 in the East Lyme commuter lot which had been involved in a series of crimes.

As the officer approached the parked vehicle, Amato entered the driver's seat. When the officer tried to make contact, Amato reversed over a curb then drove at the officer, according to police.

The officer went back to his vehicle and put it in reverse before Amato rammed the cruiser, according to police.

His bond was set at $50,000. After he was charged by East Lyme police, he was turned over to South Windsor police for a warrant that agency held.