Farmington Police Charge Avon Man In Wild Jan. 12 Incident

FARMINGTON, CT — Farmington police Thursday announced the arrest of an Avon man in connection with the wild police chase in January through three separate towns.

The bizarre chain of events — which included a car theft in Hartford, a crash and carjacking in Farmington, a crash and stolen police car in Bristol and, ultimately, a crash into a Bristol diner — was investigated by three separate police departments.

Farmington police said Thursday they have charged Avon resident Jimmie Shoemaker-Gonzales, 39, with several crimes related what happened within their jurisdiction.

Those charges are: second-degree criminal mischief (two counts); sixth-degree larceny; second-degree threatening; first-degree reckless endangerment; criminal attempt at first-degree robbery; first-degree robbery; criminal attempt at first-degree assaualt; assault with a weapon; criminal attempt at larceny of a motor vehicle (two counts); improper use of marker/registration plates/license; third-degree criminal mischief; reckless driving; failure to comply with pass-on-right rules; illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension; and evading responsibility for injury/propery damage.

Shoemaker-Gonzalez was charged by Farmington police during a court appearance in Hartford Superior Court Wednesday on Bristol Police Department charges.

He has been in custody since the Jan. 12 incident, which ended when a Bristol police vehicle was stolen and crashed into a Bristol diner.

The wild incident actually started in Hartford, continued in Farmington and ended in Bristol, police said.

Farmington police said local detectives have been working with the Bristol and Hartford police departments in investigating the incident.

The diner, Palma's Diner, still has not reopened, but it recently announced progress continues to be made in the extensive repairs, as the vehicle went straight into the building.

It hopes to reopen April 3, according to the diner's Facebook page.

From Jan. 12: 'Update: Suspect Charged In Wild Chase Through Farmington, Bristol'