Suspect in Stolen Car Flees, Leaves Toddler at Scene in Hamden: Police

A 21-yea-old father driving a stolen car fled the scene and left his 2-year-old son in the vehicle after he struck a utility pole and tree, Hamden police said. 

Hamden police said they saw the stolen car traveling north on Mix Avenue at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. 

When officers attempted to stop the car, the driver turned into a residential driveway on Mix Avenue. 

When officers approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as Gamalier Estrada, "sped in reverse in an alarming, reckless rate of speed directly" toward the officers and nearly struck them, Hamden police said. 

Subsequently, Estrada drove from the police at a high rate of speed and collided with another vehicle before coming to a stop after striking a tree and a utility police, police said. 

Estrada ran from the scene but returned shortly after to retrieve his 2-year-old son, who was in the back seat, police said. 

The suspect was arrested and the Department of Children and Families was notified. 

Estrada, of New Haven, was charged with larceny, risk of injury to a minor, reckless endangerment, interfering with a police officer, engaging an officer in pursuit and operating under suspension. 

His bond was set $50,000. 

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