Suspect Smashes into 2 Police Cars, Leads Officers on Chase from Meriden to Cromwell: Cops

MERIDEN, CT — A 19-year-old Meriden man, suspected of possible burglaries in the City Park area, smashed his car into two police cruisers while trying to flee and led officers on a chase through Meriden, Berlin and Cromwell late Monday, according to police.

Neither the suspect, Raymond Ward, of Prescott Street, nor any officers were injured in the chase, which began at about 11:30 p.m., stated Meriden Police Sgt. Christopher Fry.

"During the course of [the officers'] investigation, the suspect was able to flee the area in a vehicle," Fry wrote. "In the course of evading police interaction, the suspect in question struck two police cruisers. The suspect led Meriden Police Officers on a pursuit through Berlin and into Cromwell where the suspect vehicle lost control; coming to a final rest on its roof. Despite the severity of damage to the suspect vehicle, there have not been any reports of injury."

The list of charges against Ward is lengthy, according to Meriden police:

• Disobeying an Officer's Signal
• Failure to Maintain Lane
• Unsafe Backing
• Suspended Drivers License
• Operating a Motor Vehicle without Registration or Insurance
• Misuse of Registration Plates
• Disobeying a Stop Sign
• Disobeying a Traffic Light
• Two counts of Failure to Drive Right
• Two counts of Evading Responsibility
• Reckless Driving
• Two counts of Engaging in Pursuit
• Reckless Endangerment
• Interfering with an Officer
• Two counts of Assault on a Public Safety Officer

He is currently being held on a $100,000 surety bond; the current status of his case is not immediately known.

"An investigation into the actions of our officers will be conducted to ensure the adherence to department policies," wrote Fry. "More information will be available upon its conclusion."

Photo: Raymond Ward. Photo credit: Meriden Police Department