Details Released About Police Chase That Impacted Local Schools: Southington PD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Police have released additional details surrounding a police pursuit and suspect capture on Wednesday that prompted local schools to delay dismissal.

According to the Southington Police Department, Angel Luis Rivera, 39, of New Britain, was charged Wednesday, Sept. 17, with two counts of first-degree failure to appear in court and four counts of violation of a protective order.

Police said Rivera was also facing myriad charges related to multiple incidents of family violence

As a result, his total bond on Wednesday's charges, as well as prior charges, is $1.5 million.

Police said Rivera was unable to post the bonds listed for his arrest and was transported to New Britain Superior Court on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The SPD said further charges are expected.

Thursday, Southington police disclosed Rivera's prior encounter with local law enforcement.

According to police, on Sept. 2, Rivera Jr. was charged after an investigation of a family violence incident that occurred within the Town of Southington.

On that day, he was apprehended by the New Britain Police Department in New Britain and taken into custody by Southington officers, the SPD said.

Police said Rivera also faced charges by the New Britain Police Department after he attempted to flee and fought with New Britain officers during his arrest.

As a result, he was charged Sept. 2 with two counts of first-degree threatening, three counts of risk of injury to a child, criminal possession of a firearm, and four counts of breach of peace.

Rivera was able to post $100,00 bond and was released with a GPS ankle monitoring device, police said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, police said the department was notified Rivera had removed the GPS ankle monitoring device and also failed to appear in court for a scheduled appearance.

At about 1 p.m. the next day, Wednesday, Sept. 17, the SPD developed information that Rivera was in the area of Darling Street.

"At the time, a protective order prohibited Rivera from being near this location. In addition, he had two active arrest warrants related to his failure to appear in court and violations of his conditions of release," wrote the SPD.

"Shortly after officers made contact at the apartment where Rivera was believed to be, he fled the building. He was quickly apprehended with the assistance of our police K-9 Kay."

That incident happened near some Southington schools, which prompted those schools to briefly delay student dismissals until the suspect was caught.

From Sept. 17: 'Police Pursuit Of Suspect Briefly Delays Southington School Dismissals: PD'