Report: Man Charged After Wild Chase Through Farmington, Bristol

FARMINGTON/BRISTOL, CT — A man is in custody after two municipal police departments were involved in a wild incident that started in Farmington and ended with a stolen police vehicle crashing into a Bristol diner Thursday afternoon, police said.

The bizarre series of events started with a stolen car and crash in Farmington, a subsequent carjacking in Farmington, a stop in Bristol, a stolen Bristol police car and, then, a crash into Palma's Diner in Bristol, police said.

WFSB Channel 3 reports Friday morning that Bristol police have identified the suspect as being Jimmie Shoemaker-Gonzalez, 39.

The suspect, according to WFSB Channel 3, was charged with first-degree larceny and is being held on $1 million bond.

According to the Farmington Police Department, at 12:07 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to Scott Swamp Road (Route 6) near the Bristol town line for a motor vehicle complaint involving a Dodge Durango.

"While officers were en route, the Durango was reported to have crashed into a rock wall at the entrance of an apartment complex near Brookshire Lane," Farmington police said in a statement.

Police said a lone suspect abandoned the Durango, which was later confirmed to be stolen.

The suspect unsuccessfully attempted to steal two cars at knife point from the complex before succeeding on his third attempt, according to Farmington police.

In the incident, Farmington police said, a 27-year-old man from Farmington sustained minor injuries and was transported to Bristol Hospital for treatment.

The suspect fled the complex in a stolen 2019 Toyota Rav4 back toward Bristol, Farmington police said.

The Rav4 was located in Bristol by Bristol PD and the suspect was taken into custody by Bristol officers, according to Farmington police.

The incident in Farmington is still actively being investigated by Farmington detectives.

Bristol police officials, however, detailed a wild scene regarding how this situation concluded in their town, issuing a statement on the situation.

Bristol police said, at around 12:18 p.m., the BPD was investigating the carjacking that had actually occurred in Farmington.

It was during this investigation that a Bristol police vehicle was stolen, and a pursuit ensued, police said. That's when the suspect driving the police vehicle crashed into Palma's Diner at 100 Stafford Ave., Bristol.

"This investigation is rapidly unfolding," wrote the Bristol Police Department. "There is no threat to the public at this time as the suspect is in custody."

Bristol police said the case is under the investigation of Connecticut State Police and the Inspector General's Office, and further information will come from state authorities.

As for the diner, it posted on its Facebook page that it is not known when it will be able to reopen.

"We hope everyone is having a better day than we are," wrote Palma's via social media.

"Despite all the craziness, we are writing to let you know that everyone inside the diner at the time of the accident is safe despite being shaken up by all of this," continued Palma's.

"At the moment we don’t know when all of this will be resolved or when we will reopen. Since everyone is safe this is of little concern to us. We will post an update as we know more."

For the latest WFSB Channel 3 report, click on this link.