'Known Dealer' Rams Cop Car In Reverse During Middletown Drug Bust: Warrant

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown police have charged a "known dealer" after a narcotics operation, a warrant sates.

The case dates back to May 2.

That day, members of the Middletown Police Department's Street Crimes Unit were conducting a
surveillance operation in the area of Johnson Street and Griffin Place after receiving information from additional officers and a confidential informant about narcotics activity in the area, according to a warrant.

Investigators identified "a known drug dealer" standing on Griffin Place talking on a cellphone. Shortly after the phone call, investigators observed a gray BMW registered to 30-year-old Tyzhon Spivey pull onto Griffin Place and approach the known dealer, according to a warrant. Spivey was know to conduct transactions with that car, according to a warrant.

With the BMW parked facing the wrong way, the known dealer entered Spivey’s vehicle. Investigators observed "activity consistent with the sale of narcotics occurring in Spivey's vehicle," according to a warrant.

When they made contact with Spivey, investigators located a plastic bag containing approximately 29.7 grams of crack cocaine in addition to 35 wax folds containing fentanyl, according to a warrant.

Spivey was ordered to show his hands and exit the vehicle, but he attempted to flee the scene by accelerating the vehicle in reverse and hit a parked police cruiser in the process, according to a warrant.

Spivey was still resisting arrest when being removed from the vehicle, but was eventually subdued, according to a warrant. While searching him, detectives seized an additional 17 grams of crack cocaine, according to a warrant. Also in the vehicle were two digital scales with cocaine residue on them and $1,678 in U.S. currency suspected to be "illegal proceeds from the sale of narcotics.

Police said Spivey was initially held on a $850,000 surety bond, but, at his May 5 arraignment, that was reduced to $150,000 which he posted. Spivey is due back in Middletown Superior Court on May 21.

He has been charged with:

• Improper parking
• Improper backing
• Engaging police in a pursuit
• Disobeying the signal of an officer
• Second-degree criminal mischief
• Interfering with police
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession of more than a half-ounce ounce of cocaine with the intent to sell
• Possession of narcotics with the intent to sell
• Possession of drug paraphernalia