The Westport Police Department does a great job of informing the public about danger. If there’s an imminent threat — human, weather-related, whatever — we know about it.
But an incident last week — involving a car chase through crowded streets — received little attention. Because the WPD was an assisting agency (not the lead); because the suspects were quickly apprehended with no further danger to thepublic, and because the investigation is ongoing, there was no press release.
For witnesses though, it was quite a scene.
The incident began when the Westchester County Police Department notified the Connecticut State Police of a vehicle wanted on felony charges.
The driver evaded state troopers, but they monitored the vehicle using live traffic cameras.
Westport Police were advised that State Police lost visual contact around I-95 Exit 17.
Officers spotted it near the intersection of Bridge Street and Riverside Avenue.
Dramatic dashcam footage obtained by “06880” shows the suspect vehicle (black car, left) barrel through the red light on Riverside Avenue at Bridge Street.
After backing up and turning, the vehicle races across the Cribari Bridge.
Police pursued the vehicle across the Cribari Bridge, and onto Imperial Avenue.
On Bridge Street near Imperial Avenue, the suspect vehicle (center) weaves through — and strikes — both an oncoming police car (with lights flashing), and a motorist who had pulled to the right.
With at least one tire blown, the suspect drove dangerously on the left side of the road, before coming to a stop on Otter Trail.
The suspect drives on the wrong side of Imperial Avenue, narrowly missing an oncoming car.
He continues to drive erratically on Imperial. Pieces of the car litter the road.
The driver halts on Otter Trail …
Two occupants — a male and female — were apprehended. The male was found to be the subject of multiple active arrest warrants. One was for burglary; several were for failure to appear in court after other arrests.
… and attempts to flee. He is quickly apprehended.
The male was turned over to Connecticut State Police for arrest processing relative to the active warrants. The female was not immediately charged.
The investigation is still active. Westport Police will seek an arrest warrant for charges against the male, including evading responsibility in 2 motor vehicle accidents, and failure to stop when signaled.
If being pursued by state cops on I-95, getting off at Exit 17 is an absolutely Bad Idea™ . You will be caught by Westport’s finest, and will wind up in our delightful holding cell, next to the Ulta shoplifters.
Best and the Brightest…