MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING VEHICLE, FLEEING FROM POLICE

Norwich — Police say a man accused of driving a stolen vehicle was taken into custody Monday after he fled two attempts by officers to stop him.

According to the police report, Farmington police had notified Norwich police that they were electronically tracking a stolen vehicle that was heading north on New London Turnpike.

When a Norwich officer found and tried to stop the vehicle, it sped away. The officer chose not to pursue the vehicle as it headed on to the Route 2 west entrance ramp, police said.

Norwich police said they were soon told that a state police trooper “had attempted to stop the same vehicle which crashed near Exit 25 with two suspects fleeing the area on foot.”

The driver was found in the area of Yantic Road, and Norwich police took him into custody, according to the report. Police said they then found the female passenger in the area of Fitchville Road.

Police charged Rhian Nunes, 18, of Bristol, whom they identified as the driver, with first-degree larceny, traveling unreasonably fast, failure to drive right and disobeying the signal of an officer (first offense). it was revealed that the accused had “repeatedly struck” the victim with the belt, “causing significant physical injury,” according to the police report.

According to the arrest warrant application, a school employee reported to a guidance counselor that the victim had bruises. A nurse assessed the victim for multiple bruises.

Montville police presented an arrest warrant affidavit to Norwich Superior Court, and Jose Morales, 39, turned himself in Tuesday to police, according to the police report.

Morales was charged Tuesday with negligent cruelty to persons, risk of injury to a minor, third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct.

He was held on a $150,000 bond and was due Tuesday in court, according to the report.