NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Wednesday, March 10, 2004
 

HPD ARRESTS 33 IN DUTCH POINT REVERSE STING OPERATION; 3 OFFICERS INJURED, SUSPECT FLEES SCENE RESULTING IN I-91 ACCIDENT. 

(Hartford) - At approximately 1346 hours on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, while conducting a narcotics reverse sting operation at 68A Dutch Point (Norwich Street), clearly identifiable members of the Hartford Police Department's Narcotics Division attempted to arrest Shuuku Henderson, DOB 7-18-80, of 29 Lafayette Street, Stamford, Connecticut. 

While attempting to flee the scene in a 1987 Nissan Maxima, Henderson's vehicle struck Detective Tishay Johnson who was, at the time, attempting to place Henderson under arrest.  Henderson's vehicle also struck three parked cars belonging to neighborhood residents, and two unmarked police cars operated by HPD Detectives.  HPD Narcotics Detectives followed Henderson as he fled the area and got onto I-91 Southbound.  The Detectives were assisted by marked units from the HPD Community Response Division. 

Henderson continued to drive on I-91 until he struck a guardrail near exit 25.  After striking the guardrail Henderson began driving his vehicle Northbound in the Southbound travel lane.  All HPD police units were ordered not to follow Henderson.  HPD units got off the highway in Rocky Hill and began to return to Hartford on I-91 Northbound.  As the units approached Exit 25, they observed that the suspect vehicle had been involved in an accident operating in the Northbound in the Southbound Lane.  The Detectives pulled to the side of the road, exited their cars, ran across the highway, pulled the suspect from is burning car, and began to give medical attention to the operator of the car that Henderson has struck.

Henderson, who suffered a broken leg and dislocated hip, was placed under arrest and transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he remains under police guard.  Pending charges on Henderson include Assault I, Assault II, Interfering With Police, Reckless Endangerment (2 counts), Evading Responsibility, (6 counts), Operating Without a License, Criminal Attempt to Possess Narcotics, Assault on Police, and Criminal Attempt to Commit Assault on Police.

Injured Detectives were:  Detective Debra Scates who sustained internal injuries; Detective Nathaniel Ortiz who sustained back injury; and Detective Tishay Johnson, who sustained injuries to his hip, arm and hand.  All the Detectives were treated and released from Hartford Hospital. 

During the second Reverse Sting operation in the area in two weeks, HPD Vice and Narcotics Detectives, in an effort to further deter narcotic transactions in the Dutch Point neighborhood, made a total of 33 arrests, including Henderson, and individuals from Bristol, Scotland, Enfield, Wethersfield, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Manchester, and Hartford.  Click here for list of arrestees.

Hartford Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.  Anyone with information which could assist in the investigation is asked to call the Hartford Police Department at 527-6300, extension 5500.

In commenting on the incident, HPD Vice and Narcotics Commander Lieutenant Harold Even stated, "All appropriate and proper procedures and policies were followed to the letter in this incident.  Unfortunately, dealing with people under the influence of drugs, with unpredictable behavior,  is why the drug business is so dangerous.  The public can be assured, however, that we know what we are dealing with and are prepared to do what is necessary to protect our citizens and create a safe environment in our neighborhoods.  Our job is public safety."

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
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