Cops: Man crashed, abandoned car, then battled officers

A Saxonwood Road man abandoned his heavily damaged car in the middle of the road early Tuesday, and later when police tried to take him into custody, battled with officers and spit at them while resisting arrest, according to the report.

Benjamin Carlson, 27, was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer and evading responsibility after a Department of Public Works plow driver called police around 3 a.m. Tuesday to report a car was abandoned in the middle of Saxonwood Road. There was heavy front-end damage to the car, and it was unoccupied.

Police followed footprints in the snow to Carlson's home. He told officers he drove home because he wanted to go to sleep and admitted hitting a tree with his car along the way, though he wouldn't say where the accident occurred, according to the report.

Carlson appeared to be intoxicated and, when they attempted to take him into custody for evading responsibility, he began to struggle and kick at officers, as well as spit in the face of one of the officers, police said. According to the report, Carlson's father kept yelling at his son, "Don't try to fight."

Carlson had a bruise and abrasion on his face, but police were unsure whether the injuries were a result of the accident or the struggle. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

His bond was set at $25,000 bond and he is scheduled to appear March 27 in Bridgeport Superior Court.