NY Man Leads Police On Chase Through 7 Brockton-Area Towns: PD

BROCKTON, MA — A New York man was arrested Tuesday after police said he struck two police cruisers with his car and led officers on a high speed chase through Randolph, Brockton and five other towns. Manuel Vidal, 45, of Brentwood, NY, was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash with property damage.

Around 1:48 a.m., the chase began after Randolph police tried to pull Vidal over on Route 28. Police said they saw Vidal driving a black 2020 Toyota Corolla through a red light at Crawford Square onto Route 28. Officers said they saw Vidal drive onto the sidewalk and continue down South Main Street, and his car didn't have a rear license plate.

Vidal drove toward Avon, swerving across the road to avoid the pursuing cruisers, police said. Once in Avon, there were four cruisers chasing Vidal. Another officer slowed down in front of Vidal as he approached Harrison Boulevard and got him to stop at the intersection. But Vidal sped up again and struck the Randolph police cruiser in front of him, police said The vehicle sustained minor damage and the officer wasn't injured.

Vidal drove away at speeds of up to 80 mph into Brockton down North Main Street. Police said the chase continued into East Bridgewater, but officers stopped the chase out of a concern for public safety.

An hour later, Vidal led officers on a second chase through Easton, Brockton, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater, police said. Vidal was eventually stopped in a parking lot at the 700th block of North Main Street in West Bridgewater.

West Bridgewater police Lt. Timothy Nixon told the Brockton Enterprise Vidal drove directly into another police cruiser in an attempt to escape. Officers surrounded Vidal, who police said refused to get out of the vehicle. Officers had to smash his windows in order to arrest him.

Vidal will be issued a summons to appear in Brockton District Court for the charges he faces out of Randolph. Police said he will likely face further charges from Randolph police and other communities involved in the chase. Vidal has a history of leading officers on chases in other states, according to police.