Newtown police arrest suspect after chase, crash and community help

NEWTOWN — A suspect was taken into custody Tuesday after a police chase that ended in a crash and a foot pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies and helpful citizens.

At 11:37 a.m. on July 7, an officer from the Newtown Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Toddy Hill Road.

The driver made a sudden U-turn upon the officer’s approach and sped away northbound.

Shortly after, the vehicle veered off the southbound shoulder and crashed at the intersection with Turkey Roost Road.

The driver then fled on foot.

An investigation later confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Danbury days earlier.

Newtown Police, assisted by Connecticut State Police and several police K9 units, launched a search operation covering the Clearview Drive, Hitfield Road, Mile Hill Road South, and South Main Street neighborhoods.

The search was bolstered by the vigilance of Newtown residents who provided timely information on the suspect’s whereabouts and description.

At approximately 2:52 p.m., a resident of Toddy Hill Road spotted the suspect in their backyard attempting to open the locked back door of their home.

The individual was arrested and subsequently taken to Danbury Hospital for treatment of cuts and lacerations sustained while running through the woods.

The suspect is being held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on July 8.

The Newtown Police Department expressed gratitude for the cooperation of Connecticut State Police and the Newtown community in the successful apprehension of the suspect.