Crime & Safety
Accused Drug Dealer Assaulted Officer With Vehicle: Wallingford Police
A man accused of selling drugs in Wallingford struck a police officer with a vehicle while trying to flee from officers, according to police
WALLINGFORD, CT — A New Haven man is accused of selling drugs in Wallingford and striking a police officer with a vehicle while trying to flee from officers earlier this week, according to police.
Over the past month, the Wallingford Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit has been investigating a man suspected of traveling to Wallingford to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl, according to Capt. Michael Colavolpe
Colavolpe said investigators received information on June 2 that the suspect was at a hotel on Barnes Road in Wallingford to conduct a narcotics transaction.
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Members of the Crime Suppression Unit, assisted by the Detective Division and Patrol Division, tried to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Jonathan Mendoza of New Haven, according to Colavolpe.
Colavolpe said after Mendoza saw the officers, he tried to flee in his vehicle and struck two police vehicles and an officer in the process.
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The officer suffered a minor leg injury, according to Colavolpe.
Mendoza was eventually stopped and taken into custody without further incident, Colavolpe said.
“During the arrest, officers recovered approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, 10 bags of Fentanyl, more than $1,300 cash, 10 cellular telephones, and drug-related paraphernalia to include mini-zip bags, razor blades, and a digital scale,” Colavolpe wrote in a news release.
Mendoza was charged with multiple offenses, including possession of narcotics with intent to sell, assault on a police officer, reckless endangerment, and operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on June 16.
Following his arrest, Colavolpe said Mendoza was released on a $51,000 surety bond to the custody of the East Haven Police Department, which held an outstanding arrest warrant for him.
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