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Two Arrested in Branford Following Motorcyle, Police Cruiser Crash

Branford Police officers arrested a father and son on Thursday, June 1 following a collision with a police car.

Anthony Vella, 55, and his son, Gino Vella, 18, of Branford were arrested after a motorcycle driven by Gino Vella collided with a police cruiser next to his home on Brookwood Drive.

The incident began shortly after 6 p.m., when Branford Police were notified of two  motorcycles operating recklessly southbound on Brushy Plain Road from North Branford. Officer Jay Kaufman located the motorcycles nearby on Hosley Avenue. As Kaufman began to follow the operators, they reversed direction, heading at Kaufman's police cruiser, kicking it on the way by. Kaufman and Officer Mark Andrew then located the operators a short distance away in the Foxbridge Village area. The motorcyclists continued to operate hazardously over roadways and lawns in the congested condominium complex, endangering many adults and children walking in the area.

Both motorcyclists then fled the complex entering back onto Brushy Plain Road traveling northbound. The pair split apart at the intersection of Brushy Plain and Brookwood Drive. A short time later, as Officer Andrew and Detective Arthur Ferris were stopped at the intersection of Brookwood and Victor Hill Drive, Gino Vella collided the motorcycle he was operating into the front of Andrew's Police cruiser. After the collision, Gino Vella, who was wearing a bandana covering his face, lunged into the passenger window of Andrew's cruiser, attempting to assault him. As Detective Ferris pulled Vella from the window attempting to take him into custody, Vella bit Detective Ferris on the hand.

Vella's father, Anthony, along with another juvenile attempted to come to Gino's aid and were taken into custody as well.

Gino Vella is charged with assault on a police officer, threatening in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, breach of peace in the second degree, two counts of interfering with an officer, engaging in pursuit, reckless driving, and improper operation on a public highway. He is being held on a $50,000 bond. He will be arraigned in New Haven Court on Friday, June 2.

Anthony Vella is charged with interfering with an officer and was released on a $2,500 bond. He will appear in New Haven Court on June 13.

The juvenile was released to a parent and the second motorcyclist has not been identified.