A Bristol man was arrested and charged last yesterday after attempting to assault a police officer.
According to a press release from the Bristol Police Department, 34-year-old Michael Lowery of 1299 Stafford Avenue was charged with criminal attempt at assault on a police officer, criminal attempt at second degree assault, reckless driving and disobeying order of a police officer.
Lowry’s arrest stemmed from an earlier incident that day when a Bristol officer responded to 26 Birchwood Drive to investigate a suspicious person/vehicle complaint, the release said. After observing the suspect vehicle, a 2014 Hyundai with New York marker plates, the officer made contact with the driver, Lowry, the release said. Lowry then placed his hand on the console shifter, put the vehicle in drive, and turned the steering wheel to the left while accelerating rapidly, which forced the officer to jump out of the way to avoid being seriously hurt, the release said.
The officer applied for an arrest warrant, which was approved by Bristol Superior Court with a bond set at $50,000, the release said.
Although the vehicle was last seen traveling into Farmington at a high speed, Lowry was found later that evening in the area of 1299 Stafford Avenue, the release said. When officers tried to stop Lowry, the suspect was able to elude them again by driving the vehicle at a high speed and in a reckless manner, the release said. Lowry then parked the vehicle and tried to escape on foot, but was found walking on Farmington Avenue in the area of Collins Road, the release said. Officers took Lowry into custody without a struggle, the release said.
No officers were hurt during both arrests, the release said.
Lowry also faced numerous motor vehicle charges, including reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit—which were separate from the arrest warrant, the release said. A bond was set at $15,000 for those charges.