A police chase that began in New Haven and ended in Hamden in a crash on Thursday afternoon might have started after a dispute following a custody hearing, police said.
Officers in New Haven responded to a report of gunfire at a home on Catherine Way shortly after noon Thursday. According to police, the suspect fled in a car.
Shortly after that, officers saw the suspect vehicle near Dixwell Avenue and Munson Street and chased it into Hamden, where the vehicle crashed into an SUV on Dixwell Avenue near Benham Street.
“It started out off Dixwell in the Newhallville section and made its way down to here, so it wasn’t that long of a pursuit,” said Lt. Wayne Bullock.
“The judgement to pursue is based on the crime in question. The crime being rather serious if you’re shooting guns in New Haven, that’s a felony offence. The pursuit was handled exceptional well by our I units. The speeds never exceed 50 mph.”
The crash shut down Dixwell Avenue for more than an hour. Police say they recovered a weapon during the investigation.
There were three people in the suspect vehicle. One was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.
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All three were charged and brought to court in New Haven Friday morning.
Police said Steven Cloud, of Hamden, was driving and he was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, weapon in a motor vehicle, conspiracy/criminal attempt to commit first degree assault, engaging in a pursuit and reckless driving.
Leroy Phillip Gee, of New Haven, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, weapon in a motor vehicle and conspiracy/criminal attempt to commit first degree assault.
Sharlice Brown, of New Haven, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, weapon in a motor vehicle, conspiracy/criminal attempt to commit first degree assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.
It is not clear exactly what led up to the gunfire, but police said it might be tied to a custody hearing at Superior Court earlier in the day.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the New Haven Police Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.
