Man leads Lawrence Police on high-speed chase, slams into 3 cruisers

Lawrence Police say a man led officers on a high-speed chase Thursday morning and smashed into officers' cruisers - all while driving a stolen car.

Police say Hector Rijo's crime spree started 24 hours before on Foster Street as a man was walking into his apartment.

"He came up around the victim, wrapped his arm around his neck, placed him in a choke hold and demanded money from him," said Asst. District Attorney Gina LeGreca.

All the victim had was the keys to his car, which police say Rijo then took off in.

Police officers later spotted Rijo in the stolen SUV on Exeter Street.

"He initially stopped, we tried to box him in, and then he fled, which led to a high-speed chase," said Chief Roy Vasque.

Along the way, prosecutors say Rijo rammed a cruiser head-on and caused two others to crashed. He only stopped when police say he lost control and careened into a tree.

"Someone taking those steps to try and avoid police, drive erratically, says a lot about his character and what we're dealing with out there," said Vasque.

In court, Rijo remained expressionless and was held without bond after prosecutors revealed he's already facing two other criminal cases.

Police say Rijo is a dangerous man and they are thankful to have him off the street.

Chief Vasque says two police officers sustained concussions during the incident, but should be back to work in a few days.

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