Three New Britain officers suffered injuries when gunfire erupted and a suspect tried to get away during an arrest late Thursday morning, according to the police department.
Police tracked accused criminal Richard Moore, 43, to the area of 456 Alexander Road around 11:30 a.m. to serve an arrest warrant charging him with felony offenses, authorities said.
Moore, who they found in a parked car near the Batterson Park boat launch, "became combative" when police approached and sped off through a parking lot, dragging an officer behind him, according to police.
Police said the officer was able to break free of the car as Moore accelerated toward other police nearby. The officer who was dragged pulled out his gun and fired at the car "in an attempt to stop further violent assaults."
"Turning a motor vehicle toward an officer, or any person, it's a deadly use of force," explained New Britain police Chief James Wardwell. "It certainly could have resulted in something a lot more serious."
Moore was not shot. Authorities said he crashed the car into a large boulder and struggled with officers who tried to arrest him. Police took him into custody and brought him to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the crash.
The officer who was dragged was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut, where he was treated for minor injuries and later released, according to police and the mayor's office.
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Two additional officers were hurt during the encounter, one of whom suffered a fracture. The other injured officer is still undergoing a medical evaluation, police said.
"Their injuries are significant, but they're going to recover and I'm thankful for that," Wardwell said.
Moore was charged with three counts of assault on police, criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, interfering with police and motor vehicle and narcotics offenses, because officers found drugs in his car, according to police.
Police said officers had been attempting to arrest Moore in connection with an incident on Oct. 28 when police found him slumped over the steering wheel, sleeping in a running car.
Officers reached into the vehicle and put it in park, at which point Moore woke up and sped off, hurting one of the officers' arms, according to police.
He was charged with two counts of assault on police, reckless driving, interfering with police and driving with a suspended license in connection to the Oct. 28 incident.
