Man wanted as fugitive arrested in Connecticut after accident with stolen car

A man wanted on the run in New Hampshire caused a car crash with a stolen car in Groton on Sunday and was found hiding in a crawl space under a house after an extensive police search that also involved sniffer dogs and a drone.

Emergency crews received multiple 911 calls about a car crash near Esker Point Beach on Groton Long Point Road shortly after 7:10 a.m. Sunday and upon arrival found a 2024 Kia ​​Soul lying on its side, according to Groton police. The vehicle was located at the edge of the beach on a grassy section near the volleyball courts.

Police said the Kia was unoccupied, but a witness reported seeing a man fleeing the scene on foot on Marsh Road toward Noble Avenue. Investigators then learned the Kia had been reported stolen in Salem, New Hampshire, and identified the man allegedly driving it as 37-year-old Christopher Doleo of Lowell, Massachusetts.

According to police, a booking photo provided by New Hampshire authorities matched the description of the man who fled the scene of the accident.

Police said they also learned that Doleo had an extensive history of violent crime in several states.

Officers searched the area around Noble Avenue, deploying two police sniffer dog teams and a drone from the police drone unit. During the “exhaustive search,” police learned from witnesses that a man was seen near a home on Noble Avenue.

Police set up a security perimeter around the home and saw a man go inside. Officers entered the home and eventually found Doleo hiding in a crawl space under the house. He was taken into custody.

According to police, Doleo had an arrest warrant issued by the Salem Police Department. He was charged with two counts of aggravated theft and one count of minor contempt of court.

Groton police charged him with auto theft, obstructing police, third-degree burglary, second-degree breach of peace, reckless driving, evading responsibility for property damage, operating a motor vehicle without a license and evading justice.

After investigating the crash, police determined the Kia was traveling south on Groton Long Point Road at a high rate of speed and the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the area of ​​Marsh Road. Police said the vehicle crashed through a guardrail and struck a Groton Parks and Recreation sign and several trees before landing on its side.

After his arrest, Doleo was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and treated for injuries sustained in the accident. He was released from the hospital and held on $200,000 bail.

Groton officials said they were assisted in their investigation by the Noank Fire Department, the Groton Long Point Fire Department, the Mystic River Ambulance and paramedics from Lawrence + Memorial.