Police: Hamden teen ditched gun while running away from crash

HAMDEN — Police say a local teen crashed a car and tossed a loaded handgun during a foot chase over the weekend.

The officer who arrested the teen fell during the pursuit, seriously injuring his arm, police said, but was still able to apprehend the suspect.

Around 3:15 p.m. Saturday, police were called to Whitney Avenue and Todd Street after a onecar crash, Hamden Police Sgt. Angela Vey said in a news release. The caller told police the driver of the car ran away and was last seen heading west on Todd Street.

Vey said Officer Joseph Venditto arrived at the scene and found a Ford Fusion crashed into a utility pole. He searched the surrounding area and found a 17year-old boy “matching the description given by witnesses,” Vey said.

“While Officer Venditto was speaking with the suspect, he turned from him and begin running East on Todd Street,” Vey said. During the pursuit, the teen threw a loaded 9 mm handgun and a high-capacity magazine into the front yard of a home, Vey said.

“During the foot pursuit, Officer Venditto fell, causing serious injury to his right arm,” Vey said. “Despite his injury, Officer Venditto was able to apprehend the suspect a short time later, taking him into custody.”

Officers later retrieved the gun and loaded magazine, Vey said.

Police said the teen, a Hamden resident, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

He was also charged with interfering with a police officer, evading responsibility and driving without a license.

The teen was remanded to the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center, Vey said.