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The incident began around 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, when Naugatuck Police were dispatched to Walmart at 1100 New Haven Road to investigate the incident.
A Naugatuck Police officer arrived on the scene and interrupted a suspect attempting to enter a waiting vehicle, said police.
The suspect, identified as Francis Ibell, engaged the officer in a brief foot chase before being apprehended, according to the Naugatuck Police.
While all this was occurring, the getaway vehicle, a gray 2006 Honda Ridgeline fled north on New Haven Road. Several moments later, the vehicle encountered a Naugatuck Police officer who was directing traffic at an extra duty traffic post in the area of Route 63, said police.
After signaling the Honda to stop, the vehicle accelerated and struck the officer at his traffic post, police said.
Witness statements later obtained from the scene described the act as intentional, according to police.
Despite his injuries, the officer was able to radio for assistance and officers responded to the area and initiated a pursuit with the Honda after it failed to stop, said police.
The Honda led officers on a pursuit that traveled from through several cities before being stopped in Middlebury, police said.
During the course of the pursuit, the vehicle’s occupants discarded drugs, money, and a .380 pistol from the vehicle which was recovered and seized, police said.
The Naugatuck officer was transported to Waterbury Hospital by Naugatuck EMS where he was treated for fractures to both legs which will require surgery.
The driver of the Honda was later identified as Stanton Ragar Trent, 29, of New Haven. The passenger was identified as Asia Shynise Paulin, 25, of Waterbury.
Trent is being held on a $1,000,000 bond and charged with the following:
- Robbery, assault
- Possession of drugs with intent to sell
- Reckless endangerment
- Reckless driving
- Engaging Police in pursuit
- Carrying a pistol without a permit
- Weapon in MV
- Larceny
Paulin is being held o $300,000 bond and is charged with the following:
- Conspiracy at possession with intent to sell
- Carrying a pistol without a permit
Ibell is being held on $500,000 bond and is charged with the following:
- Robbery
- Larceny
- Interfering with an officer
- Possession of drugs
All suspects are scheduled to be arraigned at Waterbury Court on Nov. 5, 2021.
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