Southington Chase Ends With Capture of Wanted Man

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A man wanted on multiple warrants for incidents with the same woman was arrested Friday after a chase with police.

On Friday, George Degrandis, 39, of New Britain, CT was charged with violating a

protective order, second-degree burglary, fifth-degree larceny, criminal mischief, engaging police in a pursuit, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, misuse of registration plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and reckless driving, police said.

The incident began with Degrandis forcing his way into an ex-girlfriend's house and the woman calling police, according to a report.

Degrandis took the dog and fled the home, police said.

He left the property in a vehicle and was spotted by responding officers, according to a report. Degrandis fled onto Interstate-84 east and the pursuit continued onto Route 72 east, police said.

East where Degrandis exited the highway and traveled through New Britain where New Britain police assisted in the pursuit. Degrandis then drove onto Route 9 south, state troopers deployed stop sticks in Middletown.

The car was stopped and he was taken into custody, police said.

An active protective order was in place between Degrandis and his ex, police said. Degrandis was held on $100,000 and was to appear in court on Friday.

Degrandis was also found to have an outstanding warrant for violating a protective order, third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

The warrant stemmed from an Oct. 1 incident in which Degrandis allegedly broke into the same woman's home and fled when police were called. The bond for that warrant was $50,000, police said,

Police said another warrant on Degrandis charged him with violating a protective order, second-degree burglary, third-degree robbery, interfering with an emergency call, sixth-degree larceny, the illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension and disorderly conduct.

That warrant stemmed from an Oct. 18 incident in which Degrandis allegedly entered the same woman's home without permission and forcibly took the phone when she said she was calling police, according to a report. Degrandis then left without returning the phone to her, according to a report.

The bond in that case was $15,000, police said.

Photo Credit: Southington Police