A 23-year-old man, accused of selling an hallucinogenic drug to a teenage boy, was arrested last night after the teen went berserk and started jumping onto the hoods of moving cars along Thimble Island Road in Stony Creek. A number of cars were damaged.
Police said the teenager, whose name was not released because he is 17, was acting aggressively, displayed bizarre behavior and had signs of injuries that he sustained when he jumped on and off a series of passing cars. The teen is believed to be a student at Branford High School. The event occurred just after 5 p.m.
A relative with family in one of the cars told the Eagle that a third teenager tried to open the rear door of the car where a 14-year-old girl was seated. He got his arm through the door; she screamed and he backed off. She was not hurt.
Police managed to subdue the teen high on LSD until paramedics from the Branford Fire Department arrived to provide treatment. He was taken to a nearby medical facility. One officer received minor injuries during the altercation.
Officers said they learned that Kurt Degen, whose last known address is 2 Clark Ave., supplied LSD to the teen. Both young men knew each other, police said. Degen was present during the incident, they added. Degen was graduated from Branford High School and attended the University of Connecticut.
Capt. Geoffrey Morgan said Degen was charged with the sale or delivery of a hallucinogen and with breach of peace. He is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Aug. 24.
Lt. Raymond Dunbar, the evening shift commander, said the investigation is continuing and other arrests are anticipated. “Right now our concern is for the teenager’s health. Once he has recovered, he will be interviewed by officers and more than likely will face charges for the damaged vehicles.” Dunbar said.
The police said they received about 20 emergency 911 calls related to the events.
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As a parent of a 17 year old boy this story really horrified me. I hear all the time about the drug and alcohol problem that is going on at Branford High School directly from my kids and I dont understand what the Branford Police are doing? The priority in our town should be the safety of our children. The first step is closing down the "Skate Park" where most of this stuff is going on. But there is never even a police officer at the "Skate Park" to witness any of the drug and alcohol usage that occurs there. Come on Branford PD... DO YOUR JOB!