2 Cops Hurt After Police Pursuit Started In Berlin And Ended In New Britain: BPD

BERLIN/NEW BRITAIN, CT — A tense situation in a New Britain parking lot that resulted in one suspect being taken into custody and two cops in that city injured started in Berlin.

According to the Berlin Police Department, the incident started Friday, July 11, at about 9:15 p.m. when Berlin officers found a Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped at Christian Lane and Massirio Drive in Berlin.

The BPD Monday morning identified the man inside the Jeep as being Christopher Criss, who the BPD said was 40.

Berlin police said he was "passed out behind the wheel with the car in drive and the foot on the brake."

Berlin police said officers tried to wake up Criss, but those attempts were initially unsuccessful, and police suspected a drug overdose.

When Berlin police attempted to force entry into the Jeep and remove Criss, the suspect awoke.

Police said Criss then put the vehicle in reverse, ramming a BPD patrol car, then accelerated forward, hitting another BPD vehicle, and sped away.

Officers pursued, but "lost sight" of the Jeep in New Britain.

"It was determined that the vehicle Criss was driving was a stolen vehicle," the BPD wrote Monday. "No Berlin officers were injured in the incident."

A short time later, the BPD reported, New Britain police spotted the Jeep at a gas station and an officer there attempted to take Criss into custody.

Two officers were injured in the subsequent incident, NBPD vehicles were damaged, and a vehicle in a driveway was hit, resulting in damage to the residents, Berlin police said.

Ultimately, Criss was taken into custody by New Britain police on "multiple charges," as well as "multiple charges" by Berlin police.

The BPD didn't disclose the specific charges, but WFSB Channel 3 reported that those charges range from several motor vehicle violations, assault on a police officer, and first-degree larceny.

The officers, WFSB reported, were taken to a nearby hospital.

According to online court records, Criss was already facing numerous charges stemming from myriad charges from several area law enforcement agencies.

Those records show six different cases in New Britain, Manchester, Hartford, and Middletown superior courts.

For the full WFSB Channel 3 report, click on this link.