Police: 3 charged after Naugatuck cop hit by getaway vehicle – Torrington Register Citizen
It began around 4 p.m. when officers were dispatched to Walmart at 1100 New Haven Road for a report of a shoplifting.
An officer responded and interrupted an alleged suspect trying to get into a vehicle in the area, police said. The individual, later identified as 49-year-old Francis Joseph Ibell, led the officer on a foot pursuit, but was quickly apprehended, police said.
He was charged with first-degree robbery, sixth degree larceny, interfering with an officer and possession of drugs, police said. His bond was set at $500,000.
While the officer apprehended Ibell, the getaway vehicle — a gray 2006 Honda Ridgeline — fled north on New Haven Road, police said. Police said the vehicle approached a Naugatuck police officer who was working an extra duty traffic post in the area of 561 S. Main St.
After the officer signaled for the driver to stop, police said, the Honda accelerated and hit the officer. Witnesses later described the act as “intentional” to investigating officers, police said. The officer called for help, and additional units responded to the area and began a pursuit with the driver, who refused to stop, police said.
Police said the driver led officers on a pursuit that went from Route 8 to Waterbury, Wolcott, back through Waterbury, and Interstate 84 west, before being taken into custody in Middlebury near the South Street overpass.
Throughout the pursuit, police said, the occupants of the vehicle tossed out drugs, money and a pistol. All were recovered and seized as evidence.
Naugatuck, Waterbury, Middlebury and Connecticut State Police helped in the arrest of the driver, identified by police as 29-year-old Stanton Ragar Trent, and the passenger, identified as 25-year-old Asia Shynise Paulin.
The Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team responded to the traffic duty scene to process evidence where the officer was hit by the vehicle. Police said the officer, who was not named, was taken to Waterbury Hospital. He was treated for fractures to both legs, which police said will require surgery.
“Incidents such as this highlight the dangers that police officers face every day and the danger of trying to apprehend suspects that jeopardize public safety,” police said.
Trent, of Daggett Street in New Haven, was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, two counts of possession of drugs with intent to sell, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, carrying a pistol without a permit, weapon in a motor vehicle and sixth-degree larceny. His bond was set at $1 million.
Paulin, of Division Street in Waterbury, was charged with two counts of conspiracy at possession with intent to sell and carrying a pistol without a permit. Bond was set at $300,000.
The three individuals were set to be arraigned on Friday.
