Meriden Man Charged After Leading Police on High-Speed Chase

Police have arrested a Meriden man after he allegedly tried to lead police on a high-speed chase and crashed into another car before fleeing on foot following an attempted traffic stop in May.

Officers served a warrant on Jeremy Rodriguez, of 167 Sulfur St., Tuesday evening on charges including engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility in an accident, reckless driving, failure to obey stop sign, failure to obey traffic signal and using a cell phone while driving.

Rodriguez, 26, was released after posting a $5,000 court set bond and is due in Meriden Superior Court for arraignment on Aug. 27, according to court records.

According to a police report, officers attempted to pull Rodriguez over in May after he was seen allegedly talking on a cell phone while driving. When the officer turned his sirens on, however, the report said Rodriguez took off at a high rate of speed and tried to flee the traffic stop.

"The officer followed Rodriguez for a moment and was able to get the license plate, then backed off to try and avoid putting other members of the public in danger," Lt. Sal Nesci said Thursday.

A short while after the officer backed off, police said Rodriguez crashed into another car but proceeded to drive from that scene before abandoning the vehicle and taking off on foot.

The car Rodriguez was driving was found a short time later and evidence obtained to get a warrant, police said. He was taken into custody on Tuesday evening without incident.

Rodriguez has a lengthy history that includes convictions from 2007 through 2012 that revolve around charges related to drugs and illegal possession of firearms, court records show. Police did not find evidence of either during the investigation, according to  police reports.

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