Hamden PD K-9 Captures Teen Suspected of Stealing Car

A 13-year-old allegedly stole a car and was driving erratically in the area of Newhall Street Sunday evening when he was arrested after fleeing the car and tracked down by the Hamden Police Department's K-9 officer, according to police.

At about 8 p.m. Sunday evening Officer Michael Nawrocki a car he knew had been stolen earlier driving southbound on Newhall Street, according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

"Hours earlier, he was advised by supervisory personnel that the stolen vehicle was previously used in crimes committed in Hamden and another local community," Smith said.

As the car, which had two people in it, cruised down the road, Nawrocki followed it through several streets in New Haven, Smith said. The Hamden officer was joined by members of the New Haven Police Department in the pursuit. But around that time, the driver of the stolen vehicle entered the opposite lane, nearly striking a New Haven police cruiser, Smith said.

"The stolen vehicle was driven to a dead end portion of County Street, where it struck a fence in a parking area," Smith said. "The two occupants then fled on foot."

Nawrocki then released his K-9 partner “Hank”, who pursued one of the individuals through the parking area and over a fence, Smith said.

“Hank detained the individual, the 13-year-old driver, by grabbing hold of his buttocks," Smith said. "The second individual was not located."

The 13-year-old, who is a New Haven resident, was charged with third-degree larceny, interfering with a police officer, reckless driving, engaging an officer in pursuit and operating without a license.

The 13-year-old is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven and was released to the custody of his mother.

The investigation is continuing, Smith said.