Wethersfield Man Charged For Marathon Police Chase That Began With Norwich Robbery

NORWICH, CT — A Wethersfield man rammed a pair of state police cruisers during a marathon chase in eastern Connecticut on Friday, authorities said. He was eventually stopped, state police said.

At 10:01 a.m. on Friday, state troopers attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen out of Norwich, according to a news release.

The operator, identified as Peter Smith, 45, of Wethersfield, who was a suspect in a robbery reported in Norwich, refused to stop, state police said.

The vehicle continued to evade the troopers and the pursuit traveled on both highways and secondary roads for 26 miles through Colchester, Marlborough, Hebron and back into Colchester, state police said.

Stop sticks were deployed at several locations, state police said. One of the vehicle's tires deflated, but Smith continued driving on the vehicle's rim, state police said.

Smith was eventually boxed in by troopers and Smith intentionally rammed two cruisers, according to a news release.

The vehicle was eventually stopped on Rt. 354 south near the Salem town line, state police said.

The accused was then taken into custody without further incident and no injuries were sustained during the course of the chase, state police said. The damage to the vehicles was minor, state police said.

State police said Smith was charged with assault on an officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, first-degree larceny, interfering with an officer, drinking while operating a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while license is suspended, reckless driving and failing to stop when signaled by an officer.

He was being held on a $100,000 cash/surety bond for presentment in Superior court at G.A. 21-Norwich on March 6.

The Norwich Police Department was notified of the arrest and will be arresting Smith in court on March 6 in the robbery case, state police said.

Photo Credit: State Police