WATCH: West Hartford Police Show How Reckless Driver Was Caught

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The local police department has always been on alert against dangerous drivers in West Hartford.

But since five people lost their lives last December in the days preceding and including Christmas Day, the town's finest has upped their efforts further.

And late last week, they even captured what they're up against on a police vehicle dashboard camera.

According to the West Hartford Police Department, at about 5 a.m. March 17, a police officer was stationed in an unmarked vehicle at Talcott Road and New Park Avenue.

What the officer saw was reminiscent of Connecticut native Joey Logano celebrating a Daytona 500 or, as he did last November, a NASCAR Cup championship.

But this wasn't in a race track and the driver, definitely, wasn't an accomplished stock car pilot.

West Hartford police said the young man was doing "doughnuts" in the middle of the intersection and directly in front of the cop.

As can be expected, the driver fled as the officer turned on the lights to the unmarked vehicle and went after the reckless motorists.

It was all caught on camera and the WHPD posted footage of it on Facebook, to show the public an example of what they're going after on local roadways.

Eventually, the vehicle was found later and police charged the operator of the car, identified as Chanz Mendes, 22, of Hartford, with failure to obey a traffic control signal; reckless driving; engaging police in pursuit; and interfering with a police officer.

The vehicle was towed from the scene, police said.

Meanwhile, the WHPD had a message for those fearful of the motorized shenanigans police are trying to stop.

"We are fortunate that there were no injuries from this reckless act and remind motorists and pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings," wrote the WHPD.

From Jan. 11: 'Chilling Testimony As West Hartford Council Confronts Safety Worries'