Man charged after crashing vehicle and gouging the eyes of a police K9 that was after him

By ASHLEY RK SMITH, ROB POLANSKY, KEVIN HOGAN

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    PRESTON, Connecticut (WFSB) — A man faces charges for crashing a vehicle, fleeing into some woods with a handgun, and gouging the eyes of the police K9 that helped apprehend him.

The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Presley Almanzar-DeJesus of Norwalk.

According to state police, troopers and Montville police were sent to a crash at the intersection of Routes 12 and 2A in Preston on Sunday around 5 a.m.

When emergency medical services arrived, they said they realized that the driver had a handgun.

Almanzar-DeJesus then began to walk away from the crash scene toward the woods.

When a Montville Officer Daniel Witts arrived on scene, Almanzar-DeJesus pointed his gun at the officer, troopers said.

They said Witts drew his own gun and Almanzar-DeJesus ran deeper into the woods.

Officer Witts then sent his K9, Barrett, into the woods after the driver. The K9 got ahold of Almanzar-DeJesus by latching onto his leg.

That’s when, according to state police, Almanzar-DeJesus punched the K9 several times and gouged at the K9’s eyes.

Almanzar-DeJesus had to be tazed before being placed into custody.

During a search of the driver’s car and the surrounding area, a loaded high-capacity magazine, a .38 special revolver, and a glock 9mm were found.

Both guns were reported to be stolen out of Bridgeport.

Almanzar-DeJesus was charged with operating under the influence, failure to drive in a proper lane, evading responsibility, cruelty to animals, assault on public safety, stealing a firearm, possession of a high capacity magazine, carrying a dangerous weapon, criminal possession of ammunition, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a revolver, first-degree threatening, and criminal use of a weapon.

His bail was set at $250,000, which he later posted.

Montville Police say both K9 Barrett and Officer Witts have recovered.

As for DeJesus, he is scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on December 23.

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