Stolen Car Crashes Into Branford Police Cruiser: UPDATE

BRANFORD, CT - With the assistance of the East Haven police department's K9, Branford police have arrested two juveniles who are suspected in a series of car break-ins and possible stolen vehicles.

Police said three juveniles were driving a stolen car from New Haven that crashed into a police cruiser driven by Police Sgt. Dominic Eula at about 5 a.m. this morning.

Lieutenant John Alves, who commands the overnight shift, said that Sergeant Eula, along with Officers Rocco Morgan, Sean Rubano, Jacob Cheesman and Ryan Gotowala, were responding into the Indian Neck area when an alert resident from Soundview Heights reported three people entering into cars, police said.

Police Officers were notified that the individuals were leaving the area in a vehicle traveling toward Indian Neck Avenue, police said. As Sergeant Eula attempted to enter Indian Neck Avenue from Meadow Street the fleeing vehicle collided with Eula’s cruiser, police said.

Eula was able to exit his cruiser through the passenger door and apprehend a juvenile located in the rear seat of the fleeing vehicle, police said. Two other suspects fled the area and one juvenile suspect was captured a short time later by the East Haven Police Department’s K-9, police said.

Police Chief Kevin Halloran said the community has been plagued by car thefts and stolen items from cars over the past year. Halloran noted that data collection in cooperation with a number of other shoreline communities revealed over 100 stolen cars since January 1, 2018.

“Based on an average of $15,000 per car, the total loss is upwards of $1.5 million.” The Chief continued, “Those juveniles captured this morning are repeat offenders of this type of crime and are involved with other types of serious crime.” Halloran said that he will be collaborating with other area police chiefs to strengthen Juvenile laws and, hopefully, reduce the ability for serious juvenile offenders to re-offend.

The Branford Police continue to remind residents not leave their keys in their cars and to remember to lock their cars when unattended.