Manchester Bike/Car Incident Leads To Bias, Endangerent Charges

MANCHESTER, CT — A bicycle versus car incident involving two men and three juveniles in Manchester led to a bias charge against one man and endangerent charges against both men, police said.

At about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to the area of 364 Main St. after receiving a report about a driver who attempted to strike a bicyclist, along with a complaint about the theft of a bicycle from a pedestrian, a report indicates.

When officers arrived in the area, they located three boys who reported that, while they were riding their bicycles, a vehicle occupied by two men began following them, according to a report.

Police were told by the boys that the vehicle "ran them off the roadway" in the area of Main Street and Middle Turnpike East, while almost striking one of them, according to a report.

It was also reported to police that one of the suspects, who had yelled racial slurs, exited the vehicle, ran after the juveniles, and took a bicycle that had been dropped when the juveniles ran, according to a report.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect vehicle was located in the driveway of 364 Main St. and officers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence. After knocking and announcing their presence for a period of time, no contact was made. Warrants were then granted for the arrests of the two suspects — 27-year-old Matthew Lemelin and 28-year-old Michael Lemelin, both of Manchester.

Matthew and Michael Lemlin were taken into custody Monday afternoon.

Matthew Lemelin was charged with:

• Second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias
• Risk of injury to minor
• Second-degree reckless endangerment
• Second-degree breach of peace
• Sixth-degree larceny
• Thirs-degree criminal mischief

Matthew Lemelin was being held on a $150,000 bond Monday and was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 18, police said.

Michael Lemelin was charged with:

• Risk of injury to minor
• Second-degree reckless endangerment
• Second-degree breach of peace

Michael Lemelinbe was also held on a $150,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 18, police said.