Ex-cop faces 24 charges after allegedly leading West Haven police on chase

West Haven officers, with at least one gun drawn, approach a house before a man led them on a chase Tuesday afternoon. Police have identified the man as Stephen Turtzo, who is a retired city police officer. West Haven officers, with at least one gun drawn, approach a house before a man led them on a chase Tuesday afternoon. Police have identified the man as Stephen Turtzo, who is a retired city police officer. Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Ex-cop faces 24 charges after allegedly leading West Haven police on chase 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

WEST HAVEN >> City police have identified a retired officer who led police on a chase that ended with a crash near the intersection of Main Street and Painter Avenue, sending two police officers to the hospital with injuries.

Sgt. David Tammaro said in a press release Thursday that Stephen Turtzo, 48, of Richmond Avenue, was arraigned late Wednesday afternoon.

Turtzo was charged with two counts of first-degree threatening, two counts of first-degree attempting to commit a crime, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of evading responsibility, as well as disorderly conduct, assaulting public safety personnel, second-degree assault, interfering with police, reckless driving, second-degree breach of peace, engaging in a police pursuit, operating a motor vehicle without a license, possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and multiple traffic violations.

According to state judicial records, Turtzo was held in lieu of $500,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 18.

Tammaro did not say in Thursday’s release that Turtzo was a retired officer, but sources confirmed to the Register that he is.

Tammaro said Thursday that police were dispatched to Richmond Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a “despondent” Turtzo, who was threatening to harm himself.

Tammaro said Turtzo began driving away when police arrived, setting off the chase that ended with a crash and police boxing in his pickup truck near the Valero gas station at Main Street and Kelsey Avenue.

Turtzo was taken for medical treatment while in police custody.

The Register obtained photographs showing police with their guns drawn on Richmond Avenue, where the chase started. Deputy Chief Joseph Perno had said that there had not been any gunfire but said that multiple handguns were seized.

Tammaro previously said police knew Turtzo was intoxicated and believed him to be potentially suicidal.

According to Register archives, Turtzo was hired as an officer in 1993. It is not clear when he retired from the force.

In 2005, local businessman William Ruiz of Connecticut All Phase Builders accused Turtzo of police brutality when Turtzo came to investigate a snow-removal complaint.

Ruiz alleged that Turtzo struck him with a baton and slammed his face into the ground when Ruiz did not move snow that was against his neighbor’s property.

The incident was recorded on surveillance video; Ruiz later alleged that police erased the video, but one of Ruiz’s employees made a backup copy. Police said the video was evidence that Ruiz had been resisting arrest.

That case was settled in 2012, according to federal court records.

Register reporters Mark Zaretsky, Keldy Ortiz and Wes Duplantier contributed to this report.