BRISTOL, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—In Bristol, police arrested a Hartford man that led officers on a pursuit in the early morning hours Tuesday.
Multiple 911 calls started coming in at around 3:30 a.m. about shots fired in the downtown and southwest areas of the city, including Woodland Street, Peck Lane and South St. Ext., police said.
When responding, police located a white Audi fleeing from the area. Many officers tried to stop the vehicle, police said, but they were unsuccessful.
According to a police officer, the suspect vehicle drove at him head-on when the driver encountered his cruiser on East Road, attempting to ram his cruiser.
Officers later located the suspect vehicle on Seymour Street where, police said, two passengers exited the vehicle. Police later interview the two passengers and released them without charges.
The suspect vehicle then accelerated at another cruiser, nearly causing a collision, police said.
While continuing to flee, the suspect vehicle intentionally rammed into a cruiser, police said. "The officer was not injured, but the cruiser sustained damage that was extensive enough to warrant removing it from service for repair," police said in a report.
The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop at the Rt. 72 and I-84 interchange due to a mechanical failure as a result of the previous accidents, police said.
Officers then arrested Joseph Abreu, 24, of Hartford without further incident.
Abreu was charged with first degree Criminal Mischief, three counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Assault on a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Engaging Police in Pursuit, Evading Responsibility, Operating with a Suspended License and Improper Turn.
Officers have not located a firearm, but they did find fireworks in the suspect vehicle, police said. However, officials cannot confirm if the sounds heard were of gunfire or fireworks at this time.
Abreu was also wanted by Connecticut State Police on charges of Engaging Police in Pursuit for an unrelated incident, officials said. He was held on three separate bonds totaling $1,050,000.
