1 in Custody After Robbery in Hamden, Crash on Route 40 Connector in North Haven

May 27, 2023

One person is in custody after a robbery at a liquor store in Hamden followed by a chase and a crash on the Route 40 Connector in North Haven, according to Hamden police.

The armed robbery happened Lincoln Liquors on State Street just after 11:30 a.m.

The suspect took off in a dark-colored Nissan Altima.

Hamden officers first spotted the vehicle on Whitney Avenue near Glendower Street. Police saw the car get onto the Wilbur Cross Parkway northbound, but then lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, officers saw the same Altima near the intersection of State Street and Dixwell Avenue in North Haven.

They tried to stop the car, but the suspect drove it into a Hamden police cruiser before getting onto the Route 40 Connector's eastbound lanes going in the wrong direction, according to police. He quickly drove across the median and began driving eastbound in the westbound lanes, they said.

The Altima hit two other cars before eventually crashing off the highway and into a grassy area.

The suspect then engaged police in a short standoff, according to police.

"The officers on scene used great tactics and de-escalation techniques in communication with the person. The person was in the car and for several minutes was refusing to come out the car. He was armed with a handgun," Hamden Police Chief Timothy Wydra said.

Officers eventually took 64-year-old James Haggerty into custody. He is charged with first-degree robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon, weapon in a motor vehicle, first-degree reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, and several other motor vehicle charges.