A 19-year-old Waterbury man was arrested after he injured an officer while he tried to steal a car
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David Hernandez was charged with assault on an officer, drinking while driving, interfering with an officer, first-degree criminal mischief, operating a motor vehicle without a license and unsafe movement of a stopped vehicle, Waterbury Police Lt. Ryan Bessette said in a news release Monday. He is being held on a $250,000 bond, Bessette said.
Police responded to a residence on Wood Street at 10:04 a.m. on Dec. 10 after a woman reported that a man, later identified as Hernandez, was trying to steal her vehicle, Bessette said. Arriving officers saw Hernandez inside the vehicle and told him to get out, but he did not listen, Bessette said.
"Hernandez did not comply with officer's commands and put the vehicle into drive and attempted to flee, while the officer was partially pinned between the vehicle and the patrol car. In an effort to prevent further harm, the officer applied pressure to the vehicle’s brake pedal, bringing the car to a stop," Bessette said.
An officer sustained several abrasions and was evaluated and treated at a nearby hospital before being released, Bessette said.
Bessette said Hernandez was arrested after a brief struggle. Hernandez was evaluated at the scene by EMS personnel but did not need medical treatment, Bessette said.