Supermarket Larceny Suspect Rams Enfield Police Car While Fleeing: PD

ENFIELD, CT — A larceny at a local supermarket Tuesday afternoon led to a police pursuit in which a suspect's tires were deflated, causing him to ride on four rims as he attempted to elude authorities on Interstate 91.

Around 4:45 p.m., Enfield police were alerted that a vehicle, recently involved in a robbery, was in the area of the Freshwater Commons plaza. Officers located the vehicle near Big Y, and subsequent investigation revealed the operator, later identified as Steven Pinto, had just completed a larceny at the market and fled the area.

Police successfully deployed a tire deflation device, causing the tires to deflate as Pinto fled onto I-91 southbound. As officers attempted to stop the vehicle on the highway, Pinto struck a cruiser multiple times, and was observed by multiple officers reaching for something under the passenger seat while striking the cruiser, according to police.

With the assistance of Connecticut State Police, the vehicle was stopped in the area of I-91 exit 42 in Windsor Locks, and Pinto was taken into custody without further incident. A large machete was located inside of his vehicle in the area of the passenger seat, police said.

Pinto, 31, was charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, second-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny, interfering with an officer, assault on public safety personnel, first-degree reckless endangerment and several motor vehicle violations. He was also charged with two counts of first-degree failure to appear in court, and a single count of second-degree failure to appear.

He was held on bonds totaling $495,000, and was slated to be arraigned Wednesday in Hartford Superior Court.