GROTON, Conn. — Groton police said they arrested a man who took off on foot from the scene of a stolen car crash and prompted a K9 and drone search Sunday.
Christopher Doleo, 37, of Lowell, Mass., is facing charges of larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with a police officer, burglary in the third degree, breach of peace in the second degree, reckless driving, evading responsibility - property damage, operating a motor vehicle without a license, extradition arrest, fugitive from justice. Police held him on a $200,000 bond.
Doleo is also facing felony charges by the Salem, N.H. Police Department for theft and one misdemeanor charge associated with contempt of court, police said.
At 7:12 a.m. on Sunday, multiple 911 calls made to Groton Emergency Dispatch reported a crash in the area of Esker Point Beach on Groton Long Point Road, police said.
Town officers found an unoccupied 2024 Kia Soul on its side at the edge of the beach near the volleyball courts.
Based on preliminary information, police said they determined that the Kia was traveling at a high speed along Groton Long Point Road southbound when it failed to turn a curve in the area of Marsh Road. It then crashed through a guardrail, hit a Groton Parks and Recreation sign and multiple trees before landing sideways.
Police said a witness told them that they saw a man take off from the scene on Marsh Road towards Noble Avenue.
Investigators identified the suspect as Doleo and learned that he has an "extensive, violent criminal history" out of multiple states, police said. They also discovered that he allegedly stole the Kia out of Salem, N.H.
Police said two of their K9 teams and their drone unit assisted in the search for the suspect around Noble Avenue.
After a witness told investigators that they saw a man near a home on Noble Avenue, police said they spotted Doleo entering the residence.
Officers entered the residence and found Doleo hiding in a crawlspace under the home and arrested him, according to police. He was taken to L&M Hospital for his injuries in the crash.
Groton police credited the Noank Fire Department, Groton Long Fire Department, Mystic River Ambulance and Lawrence and Memorial Paramedics for their assistance.
Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com
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