Suspect in accident with stolen car in Groton prompts search with sniffer dogs and drones

GROTON, Connecticut – Groton police said Sunday they arrested a man who fled the scene of a stolen car crash on foot, sparking a manhunt involving police dogs and drones.

Christopher Doleo, 37, of Lowell, Massachusetts, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, obstructing a police officer, third-degree burglary, second-degree disturbing the peace, reckless driving, evading responsibility-damaging property, driving without a license, extradition arrest and fugitive from justice. Police are holding him on $200,000 bail.

Doleo is also facing theft charges and contempt of court charges brought by Salem Police in New Hampshire.

At 7:12 a.m. Sunday, multiple calls to Groton's emergency dispatch center reported an accident in the Esker Point Beach area on Groton Long Point Road, police said.

City officials found an unoccupied 2024 Kia ​​Soul lying on its side on the edge of the beach near the volleyball courts.

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Based on preliminary information, police determined the Kia was traveling south on Groton Long Point Road at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve in the area of ​​Marsh Road. It then crashed through a guardrail, struck a Groton Parks and Recreation sign and several trees before landing on its side.

According to police, a witness said he saw a man flee the crime scene on Marsh Road toward Noble Avenue.

Investigators identified the suspect as Doleo and learned he has an “extensive, violent criminal history” in multiple states, police said. They also found he allegedly stole the Kia in Salem, NH.

Police said two of their canine units and their drone unit assisted in the search for the suspect near Noble Avenue.

A witness told investigators he saw a man near a home on Noble Avenue. Police said they saw Doleo enter the home.

Officers entered the home, found Doleo hiding in a crawl space under the house and arrested him, police said. He was taken to L&M Hospital for his injuries from the accident.

Groton Police thanked the Noank Fire Department, Groton Long Fire Department, Mystic River Ambulance, and Lawrence and Memorial paramedics for their assistance.

Sean Humphrey is a Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]

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