Crime & Safety
New Haven Teen Charged After Police Pursuit
Once again, Police K-9 "Hank" and his handler Officer Michael Nawrocki came to the rescue and nabbed the suspect after he abandoned his car in a New Haven school parking lot.
Hamden and New Haven police had to pursue a New Haven teen driving an allegedly stolen car Wednesday night before eventually abandoning the car near a New Haven school, according to police.
At about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sgt. Michael Cirillo of the Hamden Police Department saw the car traveling on Marlboro Street without its headlights on, according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.
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"Sgt. Cirillo, who was advised by Central Communications that the vehicle was stolen, attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop," Smith said in a release Thursday. "The operator of the vehicle refused to stop, engaging officers in pursuit. The stolen vehicle eventually stopped in the parking lot of the Wexlar-Grant School on Foote Street in New Haven."
Officer Michael Nawrocki and his K-9 partner “Hank” apprehended the driver, a 17-year-old New Haven resident, who had taken off. A second occupant was not located, Smith said.
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Officers learned that the vehicle was stolen in a carjacking incident that had occurred in New Haven, in which the victim was stripped of their personal belongings, Smith said.
In addition, the 17 year-old was earlier reported missing by UNO House, a New Haven group home.
The 17-year-old was charged with third-degree larceny, three counts of theft of credit cards, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, engaging an officer in pursuit and operating without a license.
He is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on Nov. 18.
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