Man crashes two vehicles, hides in coffee shop basement following pursuit in Hartford



WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A high-speed chase, two crashes and gunshots. A wild scene played out in Hartford on Friday evening, June 17th.



According to police, shortly after 4:30 p.m., they received a call of a confrontation occurring between two customers at the Walmart store located along Highway 60.

As it turns out, one of the people involved in the confrontation, a 20-year-old man, was wanted for a shoplifting incident.

Police say when they arrived to the Walmart store, the 20-year-old suspect jumped into his car and police followed.

Police say the officer attempted to stop the man in the vehicle but he continued to travel at an excessive speed. He lost control of the vehicle near Highway 60 and struck a pickup truck.



The driver of that truck exited his vehicle and during that time, police say the 20-year-old suspect jumped inside the pickup -- while an officer followed behind on foot.

Police say the suspect then drove the truck toward the officer and the officer discharged his weapon at the vehicle. The suspect then took off in the truck.



According to police, the suspect rear-ended a second vehicle near Highway 60 and Main Street, where he then exited the truck and attempted to flee on foot.



Witnesses say the suspect then ran into a coffee shop, attempting to hide from police in the basement.

"They came in right after him and had tasers on him, and called for backup. Then they eventually took him out. They were right on his tail so he didn't really stand a chance I don't think," said the coffee shop employee.

The 20-year-old man was arrested.





No one was injured during this incident.

The officer who shot at the suspect has been placed on administrative leave.

No other details have been released at this time.