Two city men face charges following a Union Street incident Wednesday night that drew a crowd of up to 30 people, according to police. It ended when one of the men involved nearly crashed into a police cruiser as he attempted to flee.
Manchester Police Officer Brian Karoul was patrolling in the area of Union and Valley streets at about 7 p.m., close to the alley south of Grove Street, when he noticed a large crowd of people gathered in the street. At about the same time Karoul saw a white Pontiac Grand Prix speeding through the alley behind 274 Grove St., heading west.
Karoul reported that the Pontiac appeared to have struck someone in the crowd of people before it sped off, nearly hitting Karoul’s cruiser as it passed by.
Karoul stopped the vehicle for questioning and noted that the driver, Kurtis Kumar, 23, of Manchester, had blood dripping from his face. A front-seat passenger, identified as Raymond Grant, 22, of Manchester, was also bleeding.
Karoul determined Kumar and Grant had been involved in a fight during which Kumar fought with a 21-year-old Manchester man, and Grant allegedly threatened several people in the crowd with a firearm.
As a result, Kumar was charged with reckless conduct and conduct after an accident. Raymond was charged with two felony counts of criminal threatening.
No charges have been brought against the 21-year-old, who’s name was not released, or two backseat passengers from Kumar’s vehicle.
