(NewsNation) — A man in New Haven, Connecticut, was arrested after police say he tried to steal a squad car with an officer inside in an incident caught on the car’s dash camera.
According to a news release, Stacey Footman, a man known to police from previous encounters, opened the driver’s side door and yelled at the officer in the passenger seat to move.
Footman got into the driver’s seat and put the car in drive, and the officer in the passenger seat turned the wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into a church, police said.
Officers took Footman into custody for the charges stemming from the incident, as well as two outstanding warrants. According to police, Footman was holding a small glass pipe after the collision.
He sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized, where he remains under police guard.
New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson called the situation “outrageous” and said it was an example of the inherent risks that police officers face.
“I am thankful that no one was seriously injured, and I commend Officer Roch for his quick thinking that kept this from being something far worse,” Jacobson said.
