A woman who was wanted in connection to dozens of vehicle break-ins in Wolcott is in police custody after hitting several Waterbury police cars and then losing control and crashing her vehicle in Monroe on Sunday morning, according to police. Seven police officers are also hospitalized with what authorities said are non-life threatening injuries after the incidents.
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Authorities in Wolcott said they found the white Hummer that they believed was involved in the car break-ins at the Pats IGA lot on Thursday. The driver, later identified as 25-year-old Hannah Casperson, of Brookfield, saw police and fled into Waterbury.
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At the same time, detectives said they entered the store and saw the male suspect who is accused of breaking all 41 car windows heading towards the exit. The man, later identified as 31-year-old Thomas Crawford, of Naugatuck, was stopped immediately and arrested. Investigators said he was wearing the same coat on Thursday that he wore when the break-ins occurred.
A warrant was issued for Casperson. On Sunday morning, police in Waterbury said they received information about the location of the white Hummer and Casperson.
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Officers said they responded to Rutledge Street and East Main Street around 8:45 a.m. and found the white Hummer. Authorities said the driver was identified as Casperson.
As authorities attempted to make contact with Casperson, investigators said she accelerated her vehicle into a police car and then fled the area.
After the collisions, police said Casperson entered onto Interstate 84 westbound.
A short time later, officers said Casperson lost control of her vehicle and hit a telephone pole on Wheeler Road and Route 111 in Monroe. She was taken into custody at that location.
In Monroe, authorities said Casperson struck seven Waterbury police cars and six of them sustained heavy damage. Seven Waterbury police officers were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, they added.
According to police, Casperson was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. She is currently listed in stable condition.
Investigators said Casperson has multiple outstanding warrants and additional charges are pending.
Crawford is facing charges including 41 counts of burglary, 41 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, 41 counts of conspiracy to commit larceny and 41 counts of criminal mischief. Police said Crawford has several previous arrests including failure to appear and is being held at the Wolcott Police Department on a $75,000 bond.
Both sides of Route 111 were closed for hours between Historic Drive and Colonial Drive. Motorists were also asked to avoid Route 111 near Wheeler Road. The area has since fully reopened.
