Police arrested one of two people found sleeping in a stolen car after the driver struck a police cruiser during a chase that ensued early Monday morning.
Nicole Klusek, 24, of Colchester, was a passenger in the stolen car and is now facing charges as police search for the male driver, police said.
Police responded to Danny's Way in Wallingford after a resident returned from vacation and found a car parked in his assigned spot with people sleeping inside at about 1:20 a.m. Monday. When an officer knocked on the window to wake the people up, Klusek yelled, "Go, go, go" and the car sped off, ramming into a police cruiser on the way out of the parking lot, police said.
Officers discovered that the car was reported stolen from Colchester and chased the vehicle for about 10 minutes through Wallingford.
The fleeing vehicle swerved to avoid running over stop sticks police deployed near the East Main Street and Grieb Road intersection and veered onto the front lawn at 387 East Main Street, according to police. The car struck a shed on the property and both Klusek and the driver abandoned the vehicle and ran, police said.
Police caught Klusek soon after in a wooded area nearby. They have identified the driver, but are still looking for him. His name hasn't been released at this time.
Police charged Klusek with conspiracy to engage in a police pursuit and interfering with a police investigation. She is being held in police custody in lieu of a $20,000 bond.
