Cops: Dine and Dash at Duchess Diner Leads to Pursuit

After her credit card was declined twice at early Sunday morning, Serita Harris refused to pay the $9.15 check in cash, police said.

The 40-year-old Birch Drive resident took her credit card back and told the waitress to "call the cops," the diner's owner later told police. She then reportedly walked out of the Stratford Avenue restaurant, jumped in her car and drove off at a high rate of speed.

Police said they located Harris' vehicle, a 1999 Toyota Corolla, traveling north on Nichols Avenue. Officers pulled over the vehicle in the left turn lane near the intersection of Nichols and North Avenue, police said.

After an officer positioned his vehicle in front of the Corolla, Harris reportedly rammed the driver side of the cop car, lifting it off the road and causing extensive damage. An officer said Harris smiled at him as she did this. Harris then continued traveling north on Nichols, police said.

Police said they caught up with the suspect again when she came to a stop near the intersection of Nichols and Hawley Lane. Police said she had to be removed from her vehicle after reportedly refusing to exit the car. 

While she was being removed, police said a baggie of suspected cocaine fell out of her shoe. The substance later tested positive for .01 ounces of cocaine, police said.

Police said Harris was uncooperative at booking and requested to go to the hospital. Stratford EMS transported her to Bridgeport Hospital. Police said when the Stratford woman returns, she will be charged with the following:

• Sixth-degree larceny
• Reckless driving
• Engaging police in pursuit
• Evading responsibility -- property damage
• Possession of cocaine
• Assault of peace officer
• Interfering with officer

Police said the entire pursuit spanned two miles.

Harris is also a suspect in the theft of $54.83 worth of merchandise from a nearby Walgreens.