FARMINGTON – A local man was arrested Sunday night after Farmington police say he returned to the scene of a crime to once again ram a woman’s vehicle with his minivan.
Joshua Norton, 39 of Farmington, has been charged with five, Class C felonies: two counts of domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence stalking with prior convictions, aggravated criminal mischief and violating a protection from abuse order. He has also bee charged with misdemeanor driving to endanger and failing to stop for an officer. The charges all relate to Norton’s alleged actions near Walmart.
According to information released by Deputy Chief Shane Cote, Farmington police first responded to the area after receiving a motor vehicle complaint at approximately 8:56 p.m. Officer Michael Lyman and Officer Jeffrey Brann responded and met with the complainant. They determined that Norton had been at Walmart and had a verbal confrontation with the woman, Norton’s ex-girlfriend, prior to the incident. As the vehicles left the store and proceeded to the intersection with the Wilton Road, Cote said, Norton allegedly pulled up beside the woman’s vehicle, a Honda Pilot, and began ramming the Dodge minivan he was operating into its side.
The Honda Pilot’s sustained damage, including dented passenger-side doors, a dented front fender and a cracked and partially missing front bumper. The woman was able to leave the intersection and called police. Norton reportedly fled the scene.
At approximately 10:05 p.m., Officer Brandon Sholan located what he believed to be Norton’s vehicle on Franklin Avenue. He was able to catch up to the minivan on the Wilton Road and, after confirming it was the described vehicle, attempted to make a traffic stop using his cruiser’s blue lights and siren. The minivan’s operator, allegedly Norton, refused to stop and continued toward Walmart at roughly 50 miles per hour.
The minivan entered the Walmart parking lot, with Officers Lyman and Brann, still responding to the original complaint, joining the effort to stop the vehicle. At this time, Cote said, the woman from the original incident was still in the parking lot in her vehicle. When Norton noticed the woman, police allege, he once again tried to ram the Honda Pilot.
“The victim drove around the parking lot trying to avoid being hit by Mr. Norton,” Cote said in the statement, “all while the police officers were actively trying to get him to stop.”
Cote described Norton’s driving as extremely erratic as he allegedly chased the Honda Pilot around the parking lot. Officers described following Norton around the parking lot at least three times, while pedestrians walked through the lot and people watched from the entrance.
Finally, Norton allegedly was able to ram the Honda Pilot with his minivan. At this point, he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a snowbank. Norton immediately surrendered to police and was taken into custody without further incident.
Monday, bail was set at $5,000 cash for Norton. Conditions of his release include no possession of dangerous weapons or firearms with random search for same and no contact with two individuals.
Why on earth was any bail set, or at least $50,000.00. I hate to think what the next installment of this story is going to be.
No one should find humor in this story but, just saying, I wish I could have been there.
I agree with “enough is enough” — why was his bail not set higher? I realize we don’t have all the information leading up to this — BUT if there was a protection from abuse order in place and he violated it WHY is he even given the chance to be released?? — very serious charges he is facing, but if he was willing to do all that he did while being chased by police, what is going to stop him from going further if he makes bail and is out on the streets again? Praying the ex-girlfriend is safely hidden away and that no further bodily harm will come to her or anyone else who may be caught up in the middle of it all.
Thanks to the police department for all you do to help keep us all safe in Franklin County.
Seems to me he was trying to kill her. Attempted murder should be part of the charges. Praying for the victim. What an ordeal!
Apparently Cabin Fever has come early this year in Franklin County…
Anyone who violates a protection order should receive the most punishment allowed by law!!!!
Protection from abuse orders are rarely taken seriously. I lost someone very close to me when a PFA was not enough. I hope in this case, Mr. Norton has learned his lesson!!
Attempted murder and violated protection order… Bail???
Bail set at 5,000$, what in the habedashery and hemoglobin is going on here! I understand its the holidays, but jeeze, that bail is way too low for someone that violates a protection order! He obviously doesn’t care, he could have killed her. The courts need to take this seriously. Shameful
Violence against women simply isn’t taken seriously. His van should be sold to pay for damage he did to her car and he should be locked up on the felony charges. Unless he makes bail and kills her first.
This is terrifying. What about the victim when he makes bail? That’s great that he can’t possess a firearm but that doesn’t mean he won’t or that he finds some other way. Carol R. Anderson, you are absolutely correct.
I am so sorry for what she has been through.
Praying for the victim. Protection orders aren’t taken seriously around here.