CT man in stolen U-Haul barely avoids crash with Southington police officer after fleeing from alleged car thefts

A Hartford man led police in Southington on a chase and nearly caused a head-on collision with an officer in a stolen U-Haul truck after allegedly breaking into several cars in town.

Jimmie Collins, 56, of Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford was taken into custody after he crashed the U-Haul into two vehicles and attempted to escape on a stolen bike. He fell off the bike and was tasered after he allegedly threatened police while holding a screwdriver, according to the Southington Police Department.

Collins faces numerous charges, including attempted assault on a police officer, first-degree larceny, interfering with police, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, multiple burglary and attempted burglary charges, as well as several drug and motor vehicle offenses, Southington police said.

Police in Southington said the chase and car crashes unfolded after officers responded to the parking lot of the Blackstone Irish Pub at 1678 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike at about 11:15 a.m. on the report of a smashed car window. The caller also reported seeing a male get into a U-Haul truck and leave the area, police said.

Southington police said officers who responded discovered the suspect had broken into four unoccupied cars.

Shortly thereafter, officers spotted a U-Haul box truck parked behind Tops Market at 887 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike and spotted a suspect, later identified as Collins, reportedly leaning through a smashed window of a parked car, according to police. When he spotted police, Collins ran to the U-Haul, ignoring officers who told him to stop, and sped away, police said.

Police said Collins sped from Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike and turned onto Meriden Avenue before he “intentionally drove head-on toward a police cruiser approaching in the opposite direction,” forcing the officer to “take evasive action to avoid an intentional collision,” police said.

According to Southington police, officers then made the decision to pursue the suspect.

Collins, police said, then crashed into two vehicles on Meriden Avenue and North Main Street before ditching the U-Haul on Queen Street.

Witnesses in the area reported seeing Collins running toward Laze Lane before he was spotted on a stolen bicycle, which police said he fell from. He then stood up, took what was later determined to be a screwdriver from his pocket and reportedly threatened officers, according to police.

Collins was taken into custody in a parking lot on Queen Street after police used a taser on him.

Southington police said Collins was reportedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs and noted that he has “an extensive criminal history, including similar incidents.”

Inside the abandoned U-Haul truck, which police said had been stolen, officers reported finding a screwdriver used to damage and start the vehicle, burglary tools, drugs and items stolen from vehicle burglaries reported earlier.

Collins was held on a $400,000 bond and is expected to appear in New Britain Superior Court Tuesday.