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The incident began at about midnight Monday, Nov. 9, when officers saw multiple cars stopped in the middle of Route 8/25, near Exit 5, preparing to illegally street race, police said.
An officer activated his car's lights and siren, and the vehicles dispersed, according to police.
However, a white Buick Lacrosse with Virginia plates left at a high rate of speed, and swerved across all lanes of the highway, police say.
The officer pulled his car in front of the Buick and was able to steer it toward the side of the highway, according to police.
But when the officer got out of the police car to speak to the driver, the Buick dipped around the officer and drove off, police say.
The Buick continued down the highway with its lights off, driving at speeds above 120 mph, according to police.
The officer saw the driver’s face, and got the license plate number, police said.
The officer reported the car to dispatch and exited the highway for safety, according to police.
Shortly thereafter, officers found the car parked near Center Street and Harral Avenue in Bridgeport, police said.
After an investigation, officers determined the car had been rented from Enterprise and that Wladimir Arce, 21, son of the person whose name the vehicle was rented under, was driving it, according to police.
At 2:30 a.m., Arce allegedly himself in at Bridgeport Police headquarters, police said.
He has been charged with taking vehicle without owner’s permission, interfering with police. The bond for these charges has been set at $5,000.
Arce was also charged with failure to maintain lane, reckless operation, failure to have lights lit, and engaging police in pursuit. The bond for these charges has also been set at $5,000.
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