NORWICH – A man accused of pursuing his ex-girlfriend across the City of Norwich in a roving incident that included frantic 911 calls and a vehicle chase, pleaded guilty Monday to the top count against him.
Jason Doliver, 27, of 10 Northrup Ave., Norwich, was originally charged with two felonies and four lesser crimes, but pleaded guilty to second degree mischief, a felony, Monday in full satisfaction of the charges.
Police said Doliver rammed the victim’s vehicle with his own and took her cell phone in order to keep her from calling 911 during the incident that occurred March 4.
“All in defiance of a court order of protection forbidding him from having contact with the victim,” said First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee.
Dunshee said the plea was an agreed-upon disposition by the DA’s Office and that Doliver would received a split, six month sentence, to be served on the weekends in addition to time already served since his arrest.
The case was scheduled for trial this week, but after a conference Monday morning, Doliver pleaded guilty instead.
“Mr. Doliver has already paid all restitution in regard to the damages he caused during the incident and is willing to admit his role in terrorizing the victim. He’s a man in need of help and hopefully he will take this as a wake up call. If not I’ll be the first in line to send him to state prison,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee said a restraining order would be placed on Doliver and he could be charged with a felony and sent to state prison if he violates it.
Norwich Police became aware of the incident after being notified of a suspicious argument in the NBT parking lot at about 8:20 a.m. March 4.
At that time, a call came into the 911 call center without a caller on the line, but dispatchers could overhear what sounded like a heated argument in the background.
Police then received additional calls from concerned citizens who said they were witnessing a violent argument in the parking lot.
Later, the victim told police Doliver grabbed the cell phone from her as she was calling 911 for help. The call did in fact get connected, but the victim said she was not aware of it.
After arguing with Doliver, the woman told police he agreed to return the victim’s phone and that’s when she decided to leave.
Police had patrols respond to the scene, but were unable to locate the subjects right away.
Witnesses who saw the incident told police the woman had her SUV rammed by Doliver’s pick-up truck as she attempted to flee the scene. Police said over $2,000 worth of damages was done to the woman’s vehicle.
After leaving the bank parking lot, Doliver continued to follow the woman in his pick up as she headed south on South Broad Street, according to police.
The chase continued for a few minutes, even after the victim turned her SUV around in the Quickway parking lot and began heading back towards the City of Norwich. The victim said at this point she had decided to drive to the Norwich Police Department and even attempted to signal police cruisers as she passed them near NBT. Police were already responding to the 911 calls and were on the lookout for the two vehicles.
The patrols noticed the two vehicles and they immediately pulled the pursuing pick-up truck over, while the victim continued to the police station and was met by officers.
Dunshee said Doliver cooperated with police during his arrest.
After making the arrest, police were told by the victim that the dispute had not started in the NBT parking lot, but at a local elementary school.
According to police, the victim was at Gibson Elementary School dropping off her child, who is not related to the defendant, when Doliver allegedly sought her out in that parking lot. Police said Doliver then followed the victim from Gibson to the NBT Bank parking lot, where she got out to tell him to leave her alone and dialed for help.