A New Haven man who led cops on a chase through downtown Derby in a stolen car — during which he almost rammed Mayor Anita Dugatto’s vehicle — has been sentenced to serve roughly two years in prison.
Kareem Abdul Mayo, 40, pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine to charges of third-degree larceny and interfering with police June 27 at Superior Court in Derby.
Mayo was given a five-year prison in the case. His prison time will be suspended after he serves 27 months, followed by five years of probation, according to court records.
Under the Alford doctrine, a defendant doesn’t agree with all of the prosecution’s accusations but concedes that a conviction is likely if the case went to trial.
Mayo was behind the wheel of an Infiniti sedan reported stolen out of Hamden July 17, 2015 when a police officer tried to stop him on a motor vehicle violation.
Mayo took off, speeding down Olivia Street and then down the wrong way on Sixth Street, where the vehicle took out a road sign and lost its front bumper.
Mayo then led police down Minerva Street after passing Elizabeth Street, where there was a bustling crowd outside the courthouse.
The vehicle reached an estimated speed of 60 mph, according to a radio transmission from a police officer.
Mayor Dugatto was in her blue Volvo attempting to leave Sterling Plaza on Minerva when the speeding car rushed by.
“I don’t know how fast he was going. As I pulled out he had to move over,” Dugatto said at the time.
The audio clip below features the officer describing the fleeing vehicle, and makes mention of the mayor’s Volvo.
Police from Ansonia, Seymour and Shelton responded to help find Mayo.
Meanwhile, crowds of onlookers gawked at the scene throughout downtown.
A police dog from Shelton tracked Mayo to a hiding spot behind Archie Moore’s.
He was brought out of an alley next to restaurant in handcuffs and put into a police car on Elizabeth Street.
