EAST HAVEN, Conn. (1010 WINS) – A man with multiple warrants pummeled a pregnant woman during an attempted carjacking in the drive-thru of a Connecticut Dunkin’ and then bit a paramedic after he was taken into custody, police said Thursday.
William Rodriguez, 28, faces a long list of charges, including robbery, reckless endangerment and assault on a pregnant person, following the would-be carjacking at the Dunkin’ on Foxon Road in East Haven on Tuesday evening.
According to police, the pregnant victim was waiting in the drive-thru in her vehicle around 7:45 p.m. when Rodriguez parked a vehicle—which later turned out to be stolen—in front of hers, entered her car through the passenger-side door and demanded her keys.
When she refused to hand them over, he began punching her, police said. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran inside the Dunkin’ to seek help.
Dunkin’ workers who witnessed the attack went outside to confront Rodriguez, who struggled to operate her car and was ultimately restrained by the workers until officers arrived, police said.
He was taken into custody after a brief struggle but then bit the hand of a medic from the East Haven Fire Department as he was receiving treatment, according to cops.
Rodriguez, of New Haven, was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he “remained under guard” until he was processed at the police department, cops said.
The vehicle he was driving, a 2016 Hyundai Elantra, was determined to be stolen and was impounded, according to police.
Rodriguez had multiple outstanding arrest warrants totaling $475,000, as well as two outstanding warrants from Connecticut State Police, according to cops.
East Haven Police credited the “quick and courageous” actions of the Dunkin’ workers, who they said “helped bring this dangerous situation under control.”