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Wanted Man Hits Officer With Car

A man wanted in Weston for taking a car without the owner's permissioin ran down a Westport police officer with the car early Wednesday morning. He then sped away and had to be tasered after abandoning the car in Weston and fleeing into a swamp. Police identified the man as 42-year-old Richard O'Dell, a parolee from Uncasville.

The officer struck by the car was not injured, according to Westport Police Sgt. Michael Hayes.

The incident started around 1:17 a.m. when Westport police received a report from Weston cops that O'Dell had taken a car that was not his. A Westport officer spotted the car in the commuter lot on Weston Road near the Merritt Parkway.

When backup arrived, officers approached the car. But O'Dell started the engine and drove at the officers, striking one before driving off, said Hayes.

The chase ended in Weston when O'Dell tried to drive through the backyard of a home on Logan Road but got stuck. He then took off on foot.

"The officer on scene, being alone in the dark, wooded swamp area, then used his taser to gain compliance and take Richard O'Dell into custody," Hayes said.

O'Dell was charged with interfering with an officer, assault on a police officer, engaging in pursuit and disobeying a signal of an officer. He is being held on $250,000 bond is due in court Nov. 8. He was charged with several other offenses by Weston police.

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