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Tracey Edwards, 44, was taken into custody Wednesday morning following a chase through Westport, which ended when he crashed his car near a river. He was taken to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation, but was released and charged with sixth-degree larceny, two counts of assault on a police officer, possession of a hallucinogen after an ounce of PCP was found in his car, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, evading responsibility of a motor vehicle crash, and operating a motor vehicle under suspension. He is being held on a $100,000 bond, and is also wanted on by the U.S. Marshals for violation of supervised release.
Related story: Shoplifting suspect attacks Westport officers after chase ends in crash
Edwards's wild week began with an incident at Mercedes of Fairfield on Saturday, where police said that he was in the showroom of the dealership referring to himself by the name of TV's "The Incredible Hulk" and boasting of his daughter’s jiu jitsu skills, police said. He was yelling at employees and customers, telling them that he owned the showroom and that they were all fired, police said.
Related story: Man drinks PCP, goes on rant at Mercedes dealership in Fairfield
Witnesses told police that Edwards struck a dealership employee several times with a rolled up brochure. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Edwards shoeless at the end of the business' driveway, police said. He told police that he had drank "a large quantity of PCP," police said.
When taken to police headquarters for processing, Edwards refused to sign any forms because he "doesn’t give autographs.” He also claimed the federal government gave him telepathic powers, police said.
Edwards was charged with breach of peace and transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center for evaluation, police said.
Westport Police were called to OptiCare on Post Road East Wednesday morning on a report of a man who appeared disoriented. The man was later identified as Edwards, and stole a pair of glasses before leaving, police said.
When officers arrived, they saw Edwards get into a car, which then sped off through the center of town, police said. Police initially followed, but terminated the pursuit because it was too dangerous, police said. The caught up to him again on Imperial Avenue, where Edwards crashed the car off the side of the road, near the river, according to police.
He took off on foot, but police followed and caught up to him, police said. He then attacked the officers, hitting one in the face and another in the hand, according to police. Both officers sustained minor injuries, police said. They were able to gain control of him and take him into custody.
Edwards had also been arrested in early 2015 following a chase from Bridgeport to Norwalk.
Related story: Man arrested in Norwalk after pursuit by Bridgeport police
In that case, police responded to convenience store in Bridgeport after a woman reported that she had been pistol-whipped by Edwards, police said. Police got a description of his car and stopped him, but as officers approached his car Edwards sped off, police said. He got onto Route 8/25 and the I-95, where he traveled down to Norwalk. When he got off the highway he crashed his car and was arrested after a foot chase, police said.
In that case, he was charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, operating with a suspended license, interfering with an officer, and two counts of evading responsibility.
Edwards has a long criminal history. In 2009, he was charged with using a motor vehicle without permission, reckless endangerment and violation of probation in Bridgeport. He was also charged that year in Bridgeport with evading responsibility and engaging police in pursuit.
Also in 2009, Stratford police charged him with operating under the influence, evading responsibility and violation of probation. He was also charged with interfering with an officer. In 2010 Stamford police charged him with possession with intent to sell and violation of probation.
In 2011, he was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license in Naugatuck. In 2014 he was charged with sixth-degree larceny in Bridgeport. In 2016, Bridgeport police charged him with possession of a controlled substance.
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