NEW HAVEN -- Three people are behind bars after a wild police chase through New Haven.
Undercover detectives from task forces including the NHPD Criminal Intelligence Unit were staking out the area of Bouchet Lane Thursday after complaints of gunfire earlier in the week.
While on scene, shots were fired, around 5:10 p.m., and detective radioed the incident, saying Anthony Pritchette was holding a handgun. That was the beginning of an action packed night for police.
Terrence Allen, the driver of the gold Audi, fled the area with Pritchette and Brian Ward. As the three men sped off, they struck a car on Rt. 80. The driver was not injured, according to police.
It wasn’t until officers blocked the car’s path on Middletown Avenue that it veered off the road, just missing an impact with a concrete wall, ending in a swamp. The men made attempts to run, in different directions.
Police stopped Ward, crossing Middletown Avenue, in front of First Student Bus Depot, after he attempted to fight an officer.
Police say Allen was tackled in a swamp near the car.
Pritchette attempted to push through the swamp but was stopped by the NHPD canine, and then gave up.
Investigators spent hours looking for the gun in the swamp. The search was called off at 9:30 p.m. and resumed Friday morning. The gun was found. Police say the gun had been previously reported stolen.
Keva Suggs lives in the complex where the gunshots began and is glad the three men are off the street.
“A bullet doesn't have a name, it could hit small kids, it could hit a window it could hit anywhere,” Suggs said. “I was glad they could capture the people that were responsible for it.”
Pritchette was charged with interfere with an officer/ resisting arrest, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and criminal possession of a firearm.
Allen was charged with interfere with officer/ resisting arrest, illegal possession of a weapon in motor vehicle, reckless endangerment in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, reckless driving, evading responsibility, failure to renew registration, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, engaging police in pursuit and operating a motor vehicle without license.
Ward was charged with interfere with an officer/ resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance ½ to less than 4 ounces of marijuana and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.
Detectives are comparing evidence located on Bouchet Lane with the recovered gun, the case is still under investigation.