PD: man tried to run officers down with car to avoid jail

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A man was arrested after attempting to run several police officers down with his car in New Haven Thursday night, police said.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m., in the area of Franklin St.

Three officers met on Franklin St., intending to address motor vehicle violations.

The officers spotted a red Subaru wagon missing a front marker plate, stepped into the roadway and raised their hands as a signal for the driver to stop, police said.

According to police, the driver didn't stop, but rather accelerated towards the officers, who jumped out of the speeding car's path.

The wagon drove out of sight, but one of the officers was able to get a look at the rear license plate.

Approximately two hours later, the vehicle was spotted on Ferry St. Police then followed it as it turned on to Pierpont St. and verified that the plate matched the wagon used to attempt to run down the officers.

However, when police pulled the vehicle over the driver was a women. Police said earlier in the evening, it was a man behind the wheel.

When questioned, the woman originally told police a friend had borrowed her car, but eventually told police that her husband had come home in a panic and told her he had "almost hit a police officer."

The man's wife then let police search their apartment at 88 East Pearl St.

Police then found 38-year-old Kenneth C. Riley hiding in their basement doorway.

Police said during his arrest, Riley said, "it was me driving on Franklin St...I have a suspended license and I didn't want to go to jail."

Riley was charged with three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of criminal attempt to commit assault on a police officer, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle under suspension.