Street Racing In Berlin Nets Charges For Hartford Man: PD

BERLIN, CT — Local police said they have charged a Hartford man in connection with a potentially dangerous street racing incident in Berlin over the weekend.

The Berlin Police Department said Monday that Rahiem Ming, 27, of Woodstock Street, Hartford, was charged with racing; engaging police in pursuit; and several motor vehicle violations on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Police said at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the BPD received reports of street racing on Route 571 near New Britain Stadium.

The area generally falls under the jurisdiction of Connecticut State Police, the BPD said, but Berlin often assists when possible to deter "the frequent problem of street racing."

As a result, the Berlin PD said one of its officers went to Route 571 and observed vehicles racing.

Police said the vehicles fled eastbound after they were spotted by police and several vehicles got off at Christian Lane.

That's where another officer attempted to stop the group of racers, who drove away at a high rate of speed, police said.

"Officers did not pursue based on the current state guidelines related to pursuits," wrote the BPD.

Police said the officer did provide a description of one of the vehicles that fled and that vehicle was spotted several minutes later.

As a result, Berlin officers were able to follow behind it covertly while other units positioned themselves ahead.

Police then utilized stop sticks and other pursuit prevention maneuvers to stop Ming's vehicle, police said.

The driver was later charged and identified as Ming, according to police.