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03/05/2017 11:00 PMThe East Haven Police Department apprehended a parole violator after a serious assault investigation led officers to a residence in North Branford.
On March 3, 2017, Detective Joe Finoia was conducting surveillance at a residence in North Branford in regards to an active investigation regarding an assault with a hammer. The suspect, identified as Martezz Banks, 25, had several outstanding arrest warrants including one out of East Haven for assault in the first degree in which he allegedly assaulted someone with a hammer during a dispute at a private residence. He was also wanted for a fully extraditable parole violation.
While conducting surveillance, Detective Finoia observed Bank's vehicle idling in the parking lot and contacted the North Branford Police Department for assistance with conducting a motor vehicle stop if the vehicle went mobile. Soon after, an individual fitting Banks' description got into the driver's seat and proceeded south on Branford Road. A North Branford officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Banks on Branford Road and approached the vehicle. As the officer approached Banks' vehicle, he accelerated, engaging officers in a pursuit.
Banks continued south on Branford Road and west on Route 1 striking several unrelated vehicles in the process. He continued on to Interstate 95 southbound into East Haven. Banks exited the highway briefly at exit 51 (Frontage Road) but entered it again utilizing the next on ramp. At this point, Officer John Fraenza entered the highway to assist Detective Finoia. Banks continued on Interstate 95 to Interstate 91 and exited the highway at exit 5 (State Street). Banks encountered a large amount of traffic and collided with the rear of a vehicle stopped on the off ramp. Banks then exited his vehicle from the passenger side and fled on foot towards James Street. Detective Finoia and Officer Fraenza pursued Banks on Foot until he surrendered on James Street under an overpass. Banks was apprehended without further incident.
An inspection of the vehicle Banks was operating revealed a female and infant child within. Neither occupant was injured but were transported to the hospital for precautionary measures. Banks was also transported to the hospital for evaluation and was subsequently turned over to The New Haven Department of Parole for his Parole Violation warrant. Banks remains in the custody of Parole. He will be served with East Haven's active arrest warrant and will be charged additionally for the events that led up to his apprehension in the coming days.