Chief: 'In Suicide By Police Scenario' Man Steals Cruiser, Cop Inside

NEW HAVEN, CT — Parked outside the Congress Avenue substation late Sunday night, patrol officer Rios was inside the building, and officer Roch was in the cruiser passenger seat writing a report when a man "well-known" to cops approached the driver side door.

Stacey Footman, 49, "began yelling at officer Roch to get out of the car," police said. When Roch unlocked the patrol car door, Footman opened the door and jumped into the driver’s seat as Roch was trying to push him out, New Haven police spokesperson Christian Bruckhart said.

But Footman, "put the car in drive and quickly accelerated," Bruckhart said. "Fearing that Footman might hit another car or person, Officer Roch pulled the steering wheel of the cruiser, causing it to immediately crash into a church located at 584 Congress Ave., which is across the street from the substation."

Bruckhart provided dash cam video from the stolen cruiser. He noted that, "The male voice yelling 'shoot' is Footman."

Bruchhart said that Roch was "able to take Footman into custody" for the incident, and on two outstanding warrants. Roch "noted that Footman was still holding a small glass pipe in one of his hands after the collision," Bruckhart said.

Footman and Roch both suffered minor injuries, police said, adding Roch was released from the hospital but "Footman remains in the hospital under police guard" on a $500,000 bond.

Footman, who police said is "well known to officers in the district from numerous arrests and encounters," is charged with first-degree larceny, second-degree kidnapping, assault on a public safety officer, second-degree criminal trover, and interfering with an officer.

“This is yet another example of the inherent risks that police officers face daily and even when sitting in a cruiser you are marked for violence due to your job. To have a dangerous individual attempt to kidnap an officer and steal a marked police car is outrageous. The suspect then attempts to be in a suicide by police officer scenario and the officers deal with this taking him into custody," New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson said. " I am thankful that no one was seriously injured, and I commend Officer Roch for his quick thinking that kept this from being something far worse.”