Driver Who 'Rammed' East Haven Police Car Faces New Charges: PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — After facing state police charges, East Haven police arrested and charged a New Haven man, who earlier this month was involved in a "police encounter," where he struck a cruiser and led cops on a high-speed I-95 chase, according to Capt. Joseph M. Murgo.

Robert Andrus, 39, now faces nine East Haven charges, including a felony in the Oct. 2 incident.

As reported by Patch, on Oct. 2, East Haven officers attempted a traffic stop on Andrus, who'd right before fled a Branford Police stop. The car he was driving "had a history of taunting and attempting to bait officers into pursuits," Murgo said.

At around 10:30 p.m., Officer Micah Belcher saw the car near Kimberly Avenue in East Haven and advised other units that it entered the TJ Maxx parking lot on Frontage Road, Murgo said. Officer Robert Celentano saw the car leaving the parking lot of Work 'n Gear and "positioned his marked police cruiser in front of the suspect vehicle."

Andrus reversed his vehicle at a high rate of speed and attempted to flee, striking the front passenger side of Officer Celentano’s vehicle before exiting the lot, entering I-95 northbound, Murgo said.

After a chase ending on I-95 N, Connecticut State Police caught and arrested Andrus, and he faced myriad charges then including Interfering with an Officer, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving and other traffic related infractions. At the time, additional East Haven police, charges were pending.

Murgo said that Celentano’s arrest warrant was served on Andrus at the courthouse last Friday. He was formally charged by East Haven cops with Interference with Officer/Resisting Arrest, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, Engaging Police in Pursuit, Evading Responsibility with Injury/Property Damage and additional traffic violations.

"This arrest underscores the department’s commitment to public and officer safety, addressing actions that pose significant risk to both," Murgo said.