A Burlington man is due in court Monday after police say he allegedly stole a car and led Vermont State Police on an 11-mile pursuit during which he crashed into a police cruiser, injuring a trooper.
Robert Eley, 40, was spotted in Swanton shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday driving a car that had been reported stolen in Burlington the night before, police said. Troopers saw the vehicle in the Swanton Plaza parking lot. Eley then allegedly fled the parking lot, driving southbound on Interstate 89.
A Swanton police officer tried to slow Eley with spike strips. Eley exited I-89 in St. Albans Town and continued to flee on Main Street. Pol;ice say Eley rammed a marked Vermont State Police cruiser, causing and injuring the trooper behind the wheel.
Eley allegedly continued to flee through St. Albans City before crashing into a parked truck on Fairfield Street near Lincoln Avenue. Police took him into custody without further incident.
Eley is being held without bail at Northwest State Correctional in St. Albans Town. He’s awaiting arraignment for gross negligent operation, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, grand larceny and attempting to elude police.