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The latest incident took place in Westport around 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 23 when police were altered by the Fairfield Police to be on the lookout for a car that was that was reported to occupied by three suspects wearing masks, said Lt. Anthony Prezioso, of the Westport Police.
Prezioso said the suspects had been seen trying door handles of vehicles in residential driveways and had reportedly made at least one observed attempt to enter a garage.
The suspect car was reported to have been last seen around the Fairfield and Westport town line. Westport units began checking the area. A detective in an unmarked police vehicle located the car and suspects walking up a residential driveway attempting to enter a parked vehicle, Prezioso said.
Police said a second unmarked police vehicle arrived to assist. When the suspect recognized them as officers, they fled from the scene, striking and significantly damaging/disabling one of the police vehicles and injuring an officer.
The vehicle then fled toward I-95 southbound where it eventually became disabled due to damage sustained in the initial collision, Prezioso said it had stopped between exits 18 and 17.
Multiple units from several police agencies responded to the area and quickly apprehended a number of suspects who attempted to flee on foot.
The vehicle that the suspects were traveling in was previously reported stolen and found to contain a handgun, Prezioso said.
While officers were setting up a perimeter and attempting to apprehend the suspects involved in this initial incident, a secondary vehicle known to officers to be involved in similar criminal activity passed through the location of the search, police.
This vehicle, also previously reported as stolen, contained multiple occupants. Upon attempting to stop this secondary vehicle, it immediately fled from the officers, striking an unmarked police vehicle being operated by Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Prezioso said.
The vehicle then began traveling recklessly through several local roads to elude officers. This secondary suspect eventually made its way to the Sherwood Island Connector, where it was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in it becoming disabled.
Again, several subjects were taken into custody.
This remains an active investigation. Again, several arrests were made of both juvenile and adult suspects ranging in age from 12 to 20 years, featuring both criminal and motor vehicle charges: nine arrestees in total at this time.
"Although this is an ongoing investigation, it is believed that all parties directly involved in Monday's incidents have been apprehended," Prezioso said.
Further details on arrestees and charges will be provided at a later time.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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