An East Haven man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after trying to run over two North Branford officers working to arrest him and his passenger in a car burglary case, according to police.
Driver Israel Santiago, 30, of East Haven, and his passenger, Anthony Tuozzola, 29, of New Haven, were identified as suspects in a string of car burglaries on Sea Hill Road in North Branford, police said.
Officers responded to the area shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday and found the suspects' car near the Beech Street intersection. Santiago "rammed" a police cruiser and tried to hit two officers with his car before fleeing the scene, police said.
After chasing the vehicle, officers were able to stop Santiago at West Pond Road and take Tuozzola into custody, according to police.
Santiago ran from the scene. A North Haven police K-9 tracked him down at a business on Route 80 as he was stealing a car, police said.
Santiago was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder with special circumstances, along with larceny, criminal trover, possession of burglary tools, engaging in police pursuit and other motor vehicle violations.
Tuozzola was charged with criminal attempt to commit sixth-degree larceny.
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Information on attorneys for Santiago and Tuozzola was not immediately available.
