HARTFORD, Conn — A Connecticut man fleeing a distracted driving checkpoint drove into the side of a Hartford bank early Wednesday, authorities said.
Domingo Quinones, 36, of Hartford, was arrested on nine charges, including first-degree criminal attempt to commit assault, engaging police in pursuit and use of a handheld device while driving, the Hartford Courant reported.
According to police, the department’s traffic division was conducting a checkpoint at about 8 a.m. EDT when they observed a green Honda with its driver using a cellphone, WTIC reported.
Police said Quinones was initially pulled over and complied with an officer’s directions, “but accelerated and drove directly towards an officer on foot, nearly striking him,” the Courant reported.
Police chased the vehicle before the Honda struck a plate-glass window at the Webster Bank, WTIC reported. According to police, Quinones exited his vehicle and fled on foot, the television station reported.
He was taken into custody several minutes later, according to WTIC.
No injuries were reported, according to the Courant.