New Britain man allegedly crashed stolen car, fled cops

A New Britain man is in custody after allegedly fleeing a crash in a stolen car on Interstate 691 in Meriden on Thursday morning, police said.

Around 8 a.m. on Thursday, a Meriden police officer reportedly spotted a vehicle with extensive front-end damage on Gravel Street. Within a minute, the Meriden Police Department was advised by the Connecticut State Police that there was a reckless driver on I-691 East that reportedly smashed into at least one guard rail and fled the scene. The description of the vehicle matched the damaged car, police said.

The officer attempted to locate the vehicle. A short time later, the officer reportedly spotted a man nearby who they believed to be the driver. As soon as the officer made eye contact with the man, he allegedly took off running. The car he was reportedly driving was located approximately 15 minutes later in the driveway of a home on Liberty Street, police said.

A perimeter was set up by officers from the Meriden Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, who began to search the area. Witnesses reportedly told police the man who took off running was possibly in possession of a handgun. He was described as wearing blue jeans and a black and yellow colored ball cap.

Though no camera footage was captured showing the suspect with a weapon, Meriden police sent out a reverse 911 call warning area residents that the suspect may be armed. Schools in the area were also put on lockdown, police said.

During the investigation, police learned that the vehicle was registered to a person in New Britain. The New Britain Police Department went to the home of the registered owner and reportedly learned that the car had been stolen. According to police, the owner was not aware until the New Britain officers arrived at their home.

The Connecticut State Police used aerial drones to search the area and follow the K9 officers as they tracked the suspect. Eventually, the suspect was located at a home on Sunset Avenue. He reportedly entered a detached garage and was hiding in a cabinet, police said.

Police identified the man as Wally Little, 23, of New Britain, and he was placed under arrest.

Once in custody, police learned that Little was being monitored by an ankle bracelet and contacted the Connecticut State Department of Probation.

Police sent out a second 911 reverse call notifying residents that the situation was resolved, police said.

Little was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, engaging in pursuit, interfering with police, two counts of simple trespass, second-degree criminal trover and third-degree burglary.