CT man struck police cruiser, led officers on pursuit before striking guardrail on I-95

A man faces charges for allegedly striking a police cruiser in East Haven last week before leading police on a pursuit that ended when he crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 95.

The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. when police learned that the driver of a Honda Civic with a stolen license plate on it failed to stop for a Branford police officer, according to Capt. Joseph Murgo of the East Haven Police Department . Murgo said the vehicle had a history baiting police into pursuits.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m., an East Haven officer spotted the Honda near Kimberly Avenue and advised other units that the driver entered the TJ Maxx parking lot on Frontage Road. Another officer arrived and spotted the vehicle exiting the parking lot of Work ‘n Gear. Murgo said the officer positioned his cruiser in front of the suspect.

The Honda driver reversed his vehicle and attempted to flee, striking the front passenger side of the officer’s cruiser, Murgo said. The driver ignored the officer’s commands to stop and fled onto I-95 North. The officer was not injured.

According to Murgo, East Haven officers pursued the vehicle briefly but stopped soon thereafter because of the suspect’s reckless driving.

Shortly thereafter, Connecticut State Police troopers located the vehicle on I-95 near Exit 61, Murgo said. The pursuit ended when the driver struck a guardrail at Exit 62.

The driver was identified as 39-year-old Robert Andrus of New Haven, according to Murgo. Andrus did not report any injuries and was taken into custody.

A passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and received treatment at the scene before being taken to Yale New Haven Hospital.

Andrus was transported to state police barracks Troop F in Westbrook. He faces charges of interfering with police, reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, improper use of a marker plate, operating a motor vehicle without a license, operating a motor vehicle under the influence and numerous other motor vehicle violations.

Murgo said East Haven officers are looking to obtain a warrant to arrest Andrus on additional charges.

“We would like to thank the Connecticut State Police for their swift response and assistance regarding this matter,” Murgo said in a statement.