Motorcyclist In Mansfield Trooper Dragging Incident Charged: Warrant

MANSFIELD, CT — A motorcycle driver accused of dragging a trooper after a traffic stop in Mansfield has been arrested, state police said.

On Friday evening, state police picked up Kelvin Miranda, 23, at his East Hartford residence on an active arrest warrant. Miranda was located in the basement of the home and was taken into custody without incident, state police said.

The warrant for Miranda's arrest stemmed from an incident in September, during which troopers were investigating an erratic operation complaint involving motorcycles, state police said. Miranda was transported to the Troop C barracks, where he was read his rights and charged with:

• Misuse of registration plate
• Illegal operation of motor vehicle without minimum insurance
• Driving a motor vehicle under suspension
• Reckless driving
• Disobeying signal of an officer
• Interfering with an officer
• Assault on public safety personnel
• First-degree reckless endangerment

Miranda was held over the weekend on a $75,000 bond and was to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Tuesday, records show.

According to a warrant at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, state police responded to complaints about motorcycles being driven erratically on Route 195 near Dog Lane. Troopers could hear loudly revving engines as they approached the scene, according to a warrant.

Two bikes had stopped near Betsy Paterson square, state police said. One fled the scene and a trooper attempted to detain the second rider before he hopped back onto his bike to flee, according to a warrant. The rider, later identified as Miranda, managed to start the bike and drag the trooper 15 to 20 feet before it stalled and fell onto the trooper as Mirada dismounted, according to a warrant.

Miranda then fled on foot and the injured trooper had to give up the chase, but not before dislodging a "waist bag" containing a phone, according to a warrant. A camera was also on the now-left-behind motorcycle, according to a warrant.

In addition to the camera footage, phone information and an anonymous call to state police, Miranda's identity was confirmed, according to a warrant. He was also seen on surveillance cameras trying to blend in with students on the University of Connecticut campus, according to a warrant.

Miranda's address was confirmed via a database search that also revealed his license was suspended in August, state police said.

The trooper was taken to Windham Hospital for evaluation, according to a warrant.