Fire department lieutenant carjacked

by News Channel 8's Marc Robbins
Posted Sept. 1, 2008

West Haven (WTNH) -- West Haven police are investigating a car-jacking in which the victim was a lieutenant with the New Haven Fire Department.

Lt. Kenyatta Harris was not too far from home when it happened. The 14 year veteran of the New Haven Fire Department was looking forward to a good nights sleep, but that changed in a time frame of no more than two minutes

Lt. Harris was driving on Elm Street in West Haven when he was cut off at the Third Street intersection. Two men got out of a four door sedan.

"I probably shouldn't have, but I jumped out of my car," Lt. Harris said. "While I'm arguing with the driver, the passenger jumped into my car and tried to drive off."

Suffering only a few bruises trying to pull the man from his car, Harris will be fine physically. Emotionally, one of New Haven's bravest is extremely upset. In the back of his SUV was all his fire fighting gear.

The vehicle and most other objects inside can be replaced. But the fire fighting equipment, that's a whole other story. It's hard to replace that stuff. You just can't go in and take it off the rack.

"It's form fitting," Lt. Harris said. " You wear it a few times and it becomes the right fit.

"I have little tools in the pockets that I might need. After a while it becomes personal."

Lt. Harris will return to his Westville fire house on Tuesday as scheduled, hoping there is some type of equipment he can use. He brought his gear home in anticipation of going to another fire house for an overtime assignment.

The West Haven and State Police have put out bulletins hoping to find the gear and the missing Silver Infinite Q4, Connecticut license plate 207-PLY.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Haven police at 203-937-3900.