Police: Man leads officers on high-speed chase, then tries to stab them

Norwich – Police say an intoxicated Hebron man led state troopers on a high speed chase Thursday morning from Marlborough to Norwich, and once stopped, tried to stab law enforcement officers.

Following the 9:41 a.m. chase along Route 2, police charged Mario Braga, 45, with reckless driving, failure to drive in the proper lane, possession of a controlled substance, weapons in vehicles, two counts of assaulting public safety or emergency medical personnel, breach of peace, two counts of attempt to commit a crime and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Police said the incident began when several 911 callers reported a pickup truck driving erratically on Route 2 eastbound near Exit 13 in Marlborough.

State troopers from Troop K in Colchester tried to stop the vehicle, but were unable to and deployed stop sticks. Police said Braga continued driving on damaged tires and failed to stop for police.

The damaged vehicle eventually was boxed-in near Exit 27 in Norwich. When troopers tried to pull Braga from the truck, police said, Braga pulled a knife and tried to stab the troopers. After a struggle, Braga was brought into custody, police said.

Braga is held on $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Friday in Norwich Superior.