Officer Injured During Struggle with Suspect: West Haven Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — A West Haven police officer sustained serious injuries to his leg during a struggle with a suspect who was being arrested for a domestic dispute on Sunday afternoon.

Police responded to the 100 block of Elizabeth Street at about 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 on the report of a domestic dispute.

Responding officers observed a male had punched several holes in walls and broken several windows in the apartment, which resulted in him bleeding from his left wrist, according to police.

Officers initially handcuffed the suspect, identified as Garrett Stearns, but since the fire department needed to treat his injured left hand, Stearns was taken out of the handcuffs, according to police.

Police said Stearns became combative and a struggle with officers resulted in him being forced to the ground.

Police found a kitchen steak knife hidden in Stearns’ pants and one officer seriously injured his leg in the struggle, police said.

The officer was treated at an area hospital and released.

Stearns, 31, was arrested on charges of carrying a weapon, interfering with police, interfering with an emergency call, assault on police and disorderly conduct. He was held on $100,000 bond.

Pictured: Garrett Stearns, 31, of West Haven / via West Haven Police Department