A man suspected of being involved in a shoplifting, then fighting with an off-duty police officer and trying to strangle a police dog told investigators that voices told him to do it, according to police.
Police said someone stole 65 Polo shirts worth $2,700 from the Sears on New Britain Avenue in West Hartford just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, then threatened to shoot the loss prevention employee and fled.
The shoplifter fled from the store and an off-duty police officer, Tom Lazure, spotted the vehicle on Interstate 84 East and followed him to Sisson Avenue in Hartford, police said.
Police identified one suspect as, Ezekiel Scott, 51, of Hartford. They said he got out of the car, resisted arrest, fought with the officer and put his hands around the neck of Lazure’s police dog, Jett.
Lazure managed to get Jett free and arrested Scott, who made comments that “voices” told him to hurt Lazure and Jett, according to a news release from police.
Scott was bitten on his right forearm and was brought to Saint Francis Hospital. He has since been released.
Scott has been charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, first-degree threatening, assault on a police officer, interfering with an officer and cruelty to animals. Bond was set at $25,000.
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Police said they are looking for other people who were in the vehicle as well.
