Connecticut man arrested after chase through Dover, rammed police patrol vehicle, crashed into utility pole
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Robin H. Benziger
Troop K Commander
Dover, New York – On July 21, 2015, New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Dover Plains barracks arrested William E. Lester, 23 years old, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th Degree, a Class C Felony, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, a Class D Felony, Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony, and other misdemeanor charges after he led police on a two-state chase on July 4th.
On July 4, 2015 at approximately 9:50 p.m., a Trooper observed a speeding Subaru operated by Lester on Pleasant Ridge Road in the Town of Dover. The Trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle utilizing emergency lights and sirens at which point Lester accelerated in an attempt to flee. During the pursuit, Lester threw a lunch box from his vehicle onto Pleasant Ridge Road that contained Lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD, a hallucinogen.
During the chase, Lester drove his vehicle into a state police patrol vehicle causing damage to the pursuing cruiser. The pursuit led police into Connecticut where Lester exited the roadway on Route 7 and struck a guide wire and utility pole, causing power lines to fall onto his vehicle. Lester was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
The Town of Dover Justice Court issued a warrant ordering Lester’s arrest on July 9, 2015. Lester was featured on the New York State Police Facebook page on July 15, 2015 for Warrant Wednesday. On July 20th, Lester was located at an auto body repair shop where the New Milford Police Department placed him in custody as a fugitive from justice.
The New York State Police took custody of Lester on July 21, 2015 and arraigned him before the Town of Dover Justice Court. Lester was remanded to Dutchess County Jail, and is due to return to the Town of Dover Court at a later date.
The New York State Police were assisted by the New Milford Police Department, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Town of Dover Court, Connecticut Probation, the Rocky Hill Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Wetherfield Police Department.
