'Oddly Slow' Car Chase Crosses Into Hamden: Police

In the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 14, New Haven Police received a call reporting an assault and robbery.

“The call was placed by someone other than the victim,” New Haven Police Officer David B. Hartman said in the police report. “He told the officers he’d been indoors, when he heard a commotion. He said he looked through his window and spotted three men fighting. One of the men knifed the victim several times before he and the other assailant fled in a waiting car.”

The alleged assault occurred near Miller and Parmalee Streets in New Haven. Officers located the victim, a 31-year-old man from Bridgeport, several blocks away.

The victim did not contact police to report his own assault. Police said he had been cut several times. While EMTs tended to the victim’s wounds, officers conducted a search for the suspects. The witness who had contacted police earlier provided a description of their car and a partial license plate.

The victim told police he had been attacked and robbed of several hundred dollars by two black men. His injuries were not life threatening, police said.

“He knows one goes by the name ‘Shy’,” Hartman said. “Shy had a knife and despite having handed the crook his money, was [allegedly] knifed anyway.”

Police Led On ‘Oddly Slow’ Car Chase

Minutes later, Officer Jacob Cedeno spotted the suspect’s red SUV and pursued it.

“The chase was at an oddly slow speed,” Hartman said in the police report. “Those wanted fled into through the Southern CT State University campus and into Hamden. Minutes later, they were back in New Haven and were stopped at Shelton Avenue and Starr Street.”

The two suspects were apprehended and a female accomplice was in the car when it was stopped, according to police.

“One of the men was taken down by Xander – a police canine handled by Officer Lars Vallen,” Hartman said.

Arrests Made

• New London resident Jeffery Carlton Evans, 40, was charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with police, reckless driving and operating under suspension.

• Kourtney Thomas, 27, of New Haven, was charged with disorderly conduct.

• Douglas Buster, 43, of New Haven, allegedly gave police a fake name. He was charged with interfering with police and disorderly conduct. The assault charges are pending.

All Three Sent to the Hospital

“He [Buster] has an outstanding warrant – now being served,” Hartman said. “All three suspects were checked out at the hospital as well. One for an injury sustained during his apprehension, another for asthma and the last for gout.”

Detectives from the department’s Robbery & Burglary Unit are assisting in the investigation.

“The investigation has already turned up leads into the motive and whether the victim was otherwise involved with his assailants,” Hartman said. “The investigation continues. Detectives are also searching for case supporting evidence in several areas outside of the initial crime scene.”

The New Haven Police Department may be reached in the following ways:

• Non-Emergency Number to 911 Center: 203-946-6316
• Anonymous Text-Your-Tip: Text “NHPD plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES)
• Anonymous Tip Line: 1-866-888-TIPS (8477)

Patch will update this article with more information as it becomes available.

(image via shutterstock)