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Man Accused of Assaulting Waterbury Police Officer With Vehicle

Waterbury police have arrested a man who is accused of assaulting one of their officers with a vehicle on Saturday.

Two officers were called to Richard Terrace around 5:30 a.m. after getting a report of a suspicious vehicle.

When the officers arrived, they said they found an unconscious man, later identified as 38-year-old Adam Dejesus, behind the wheel of a Chevy Impala.

According to police, they didn't know if Dejesus had fallen asleep, overdosed or suffered a medical emergency.

One officer noticed the driver's window was partially open and attempted to wake Dejesus verbally, however, police said he did not respond.

An officer reached in, unlocked the doors and opened the driver's door while the other officer opened the front passenger door as Dejesus woke up, authorities said.

Dejesus then put the car into reverse while one of the officers was standing near the open passenger door, officers added. The officer was hit by the door, lost his balance and fell into the vehicle.

Police said Dejesus then put the vehicle into drive and dragged the officer for approximately 100 feet while the officer was partially hanging out of the vehicle. The officer was then thrown from the vehicle as it turned onto Pritchard Road.

The officer hit his head on the road and was knocked unconscious, authorities said. He sustained head injuries and was taken to an area hospital, where he was later admitted into the Intensive Care Unit.

Police said the officer who was injured suffered non-life threatening injuries and was released from the hospital the following day.

Through an investigation, detectives learned Dejesus was the driver of the vehicle, police added.

Police checked multiple locations in the city and responded to Griggs Street. At the address, officers said they saw someone in the home that matched Dejesus' description.

Officers repeatedly knocked on the door, but the occupants of the home refused to answer and let police in, according to authorities. When officers entered the residence, Dejesus ran out the front door and was apprehended.

Police also arrested three men from inside the home including 29-year-old Carlos Santiago, 24-year-old Jose Santiago and 28-year-old Angel Medina.

Later, while in the detective bureau, police said Dejesus tried to over power the detectives in an attempt to escape. He was not successful and remains in custody.

Dejesus is facing charges including assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, criminal attempt at escape from custody, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension and evading responsibility in accident resulting in physical injury, authorities said.

Carlos and Jose Santiago were charged with interfering with a police officer and were released on a $5,000 bond each. Medina was also charged with interfering with a police officer. He is being held pending his arraignment, according to police.

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