MERIDEN, Conn. — One man is in custody after police were searching for a person of interest allegedly fleeing from a crash scene in Meriden Thursday morning.
The search prompted a lockdown at Meriden City Hall and a lockout at Roger Sherman Elementary and Maloney High School. Activity in these building are now back to normal and reopened.
The search for the suspect started after Meriden police were called around 8 a.m. to Interstate-691 in the area of Broad Street for a report of a crash, and a vehicle involved driving away from the scene.
Police found a damaged vehicle unoccupied in the area of Liberty Street and Sunset Avenue. Police said the driver ran off on foot, prompting the search.
The vehicle was found to be stolen.
Police used canines and drones in the search. Eventually, the suspect was found at a home on Sunset Avenue in a detached garage to the rear of the house and was hiding in a cabinet.
State Police said troopers later determined he may have been impaired so he was arrested for that as well.
Neighbors reacted to the heavy police presence at the time.
"When I first saw them, there were three officers and a dog and I asked what was going on and later in the morning, the pursuit continued and more officers showed up," said Tom H. of Meriden.
Wally Little, 23, of New Britain, was charged with Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Engaging in Pursuit, Interfering with the Police, Simple Trespass (2 Counts, Criminal Trover in the 2nd Degree and Burglary 3rd Degree. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Police said witnesses told them he possibly had a gun. That is when a reverse 911 call was issued to notify all nearby residents to be on the lookout.
"What happens is it goes out to certain geographic area or depending on where we're investigating or where there could potentially be danger," said Lt. Darrin McKay with the Meriden Police Department.
Police said Little had an ankle monitor on at the time of the arrest and that they contacted the Department of Probation to assist in the investigation.
"When you have someone with a criminal history, continuing to repeat their habits, they need to be held accountable for their actions," said Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati.
Little is facing a slew of charges including - reckless operation of a motor vehicle and third-degree burglary.
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