Community Corner
Meriden Man Charged After Leading Police on May Chase
Officers secured a warrant for Meriden resident Richard Lespier after he took to the highway at a high rate of speed in mid-May to avoid arrest.
A Meriden man is facing charges of engaging police in pursuit after Meriden police said he took off at a high rate of speed on May 17, heading onto Interstate 691 to avoid being pulled over and potentially arrested after being caught driving a motor vehicle under suspension.
Richard Lespier, of 13 S. Second St., turned himself into police on Saturday on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, resisting arrest and operation a motor vehicle under suspension.
He was released after posting a $10,000 bond, according to court records, and is due in Meriden Superior Court for arraignment on June 11.
Meriden Police Lt. Mark Walerysiak said an officer attempted to pull Lespier over in connection with a motor vehicle violation near Colony Street and North Colony Street when he took off at a high rate of speed.
“One of our officers assigned to the statewide narcotics task force noticed Lespier had committed several violations and was driving erratically,” Walerysiak said. “He took off up the I-691 west ramp and officers gave chase, but broke off the pursuit in the interest of public safety once they got the plate numbers.”
The department applied for warrants and he turned himself in on June 1, police said.
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