BERLIN, CT — A man with outstanding warrants was arrested Dec. 20 after police used tire deflation devices to stop his vehicle, which he had allegedly used to flee from officers on multiple prior occasions.
Efrain Justinano-Santiago Jr., 26, of no certain address, was taken into custody at 8:28 a.m. after Berlin police officers recognized a white Cadillac as a vehicle that had recently fled from both Berlin and Newington officers.
Police had two active arrest warrants for Justinano-Santiago from previous incidents involving engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving and motor vehicle charges, with bonds totaling $85,000.
Officers deployed a tire deflation device and boxed in the vehicle to prevent another pursuit.
During the apprehension, Justiniano-Santiago allegedly rammed two police vehicles in an attempt to escape, causing minor damage to three cruisers total.
After removing Justiniano-Santiago from the vehicle, officers discovered two toddler-aged children in the back seat, one of whom was not properly secured in a child seat and the other not in a child seat at all.
Police said heavy window tint prevented them from seeing the children until after the vehicle was stopped.
Justiniano-Santiago was charged with engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, two counts of criminal attempt to commit assault in the second degree, two counts of criminal attempt to commit assault on police officers, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and numerous motor vehicle violations.
He was held on $165,000 bond for the new charges in addition to the two outstanding warrants, for a total bond of $250,000.
