Police: Norwich man arrested after stealing, crashing box truck
Norwich — A city man is in custody after he allegedly stole a box truck, led police on a chase and intentionally struck a state police cruiser Friday morning, according to city police.
Peter Smith, 44, whose last known address is 124 Washington St., was charged with third-degree larceny, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.
According to police, a Talman Street resident reported early Friday morning that his or her vehicle, a box truck, had been stolen. Officers located the vehicle driving west on East Main Street and attempted to stop it, police said. The driver instead continued north on North Main Street.
Police said they contacted troopers at state police Troop E in Montville when they realized the pursuit would continue outside Norwich. Troopers assisted with the pursuit, which led them into Sterling via Interstate 395 north.
According to police, the pursuit ended when Smith intentionally struck a state police cruiser and the truck became disabled in a roadside culvert.
Police said they took Smith into custody about 4:40 a.m. after a “brief struggle.” A state police K-9 assisted in the arrest.
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