Driver Hits Vernon Police Cruiser Then Crashes In Manchester: PD

VERNON, CT — What started as a mischief investigation Thursday turned into a wild chase in Vernon that spilled into Manchester and ended with a smashed police cruiser and subsequent crash, authorities said.

The scene unraveled Thursday at 12:18 p.m., when Vernon officers were investigating a criminal mischief complaint from earlier in the day. The person of interest was located at the Mr. Sparkle Car Wash at 373 Talcottville Road, but as officers approached the man, he fled in a car at a high rate of speed first through the parking lot and then onto Talcottville Road heading south, according to a police report.

The man drove right at multiple vehicles and police cruisers, a report indicates.

Officers stopped pursuing the man once he started to drive into oncoming traffic. The man continued into Manchester and was speeding on Tolland Turnpike, when he hit a Vernon cruiser stopped at a red light while heading back to town, according to a report. He then crashed his car on Taylor Street in Manchester and fled on foot, police said.

He was eventually tracked down and arrested inside a business at 100 Tolland Turnpike in Manchester, according to a report.

The suspect went to an area hospital for "precautionary measures," police said.

No bystanders nor the officer were injured.

Police said the case is currently under investigation by the Vernon Police Department, Manchester Police Department and the Metro Traffic Services Accident Reconstruction Team. Police are asking that with information about the incident call Vernon Police Department and Sgt. Andrew Hannaford at 860-872-9126, ext 2020.