Video: 2 Conn. officers injured by suspect fleeing in stolen car at gas station

By Jessica Bravo
Journal Inquirer

BERLIN, Conn. — Before a 40-year-old man injured two New Britain officers, striking their cruisers while evading them, according to police, he also was involved in a similar incident captured on body-camera footage that has been released.

Berlin police said a man, later identified as Christopher Criss, was located asleep behind the wheel of a Grand Jeep Cherokee around 9:15 p.m. Friday. Police responded to the area of Christian Lane and Massirio Drive to check on Criss, who had his foot on the SUV’s brake pedal.

Officers believed Criss had a drug overdose after they attempted to wake him up, police said, which prompted a “forced entry.”

Police said Criss woke up and resisted officers, which led to him reversing his SUV and striking a cruiser. Police said he then put the car in drive, struck another cruiser and drove off.

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“Put it in park,” a Berlin police officer is heard saying before Criss reverses the Jeep while the driver’s door is wide open with a broken window from the “forced entry.” The video captures Criss as he sped through an intersection before the video ends.

Police said Criss initially was pursed, but officers ended up losing sight on his SUV. They later discovered Criss was in a stolen car.

Less than an hour later, a witness at a New Britain gas station recorded Criss’ interaction with city officers.

New Britain police said officers made contact with Criss, who was asleep and behind the wheel, again, at a gas pump near the Corbin Avenue area.

Criss drove forward when officers tried to apprehend him, the footage showed, and then reversed, which resulted in an officer being caught between a steel beam and the SUV’s door. The officer backed away as the SUV continued to back into an officer’s cruiser before driving away.

Police said Criss ended up crashing outside a residence nearby and was taken into custody after that. Police said Criss is facing various charges in Berlin and New Britain.

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