On the evening of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Westport officers received a be on the lookout informational radio broadcast from the Connecticut State Police. This was for a vehicle that was wanted by New York authorities and the Connecticut State Police. The vehicle was reported to have been last seen by the Connecticut State Police exiting Interstate 95 at exit 17. A Westport officer observed and attempted to stop the vehicle as it exited the ramp, however the operator ignored this signal and continued. Visual contact with it was lost.
In an apparent effort to flee the scene, the suspect vehicle continued to drive recklessly through the area of the Westport Railroad Station at high speeds and while disregarding traffic control signals. While doing so, the suspect struck the marked patrol vehicle of a Westport officer who had been stopped in traffic on Bridge Street as well as the vehicle of an uninvolved motorist also traveling on Bridge Street and drove away from these accident scenes. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and came to a final rest on Imperial Avenue near Otter Trail. The operator attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended and ultimately taken into custody. He was identified as Rodney Rowe. Computer checks showed that he was the subject of an active arrest warrant held by the Norwich Police Department as well as multiple court-ordered warrants for failure to appear. Rowe was turned over to the Connecticut State Police to facilitate their charges. An arrest warrant was sought and granted for Rowe in connection with this incident.
On Wednesday, October 28, Rowe, who was incarcerated, was transported to Stamford Superior Court to facilitate service of the active warrant held by our agency. He was formally charged with Engaging Police in Pursuit, Evading Responsibility (2 Counts), Interfering with an Officer and Reckless Endangerment First Degree. His bond was set by the court at $250,000.00. He was unable to post this bond and was scheduled to be arraigned the same day.