Stolen minivan slams into light pole, bursts into flames, after ramming Windsor police car

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A man who allegedly rammed a Windsor police cruiser with a stolen Dodge Caravan saw his escape come to a quick end when he slammed into a light pole and the van burst into flames.

Windsor police received a call around 1 p.m. Friday about a Dodge Caravan that had just been stolen from the 900 block of Rankin Avenue. Officers quickly tracked down the stolen vehicle near Crawford Avenue and University Avenue West.

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They partially blocked the road in front of the van. After that, police said the driver of the Caravan struck three parked vehicles, rammed a cruiser multiple times, then sped off.

The cruiser sustained heavy damage, but the officers were not injured.

Police said the man “drove erratically”  down several streets before striking a light pole in the 2000 block of Norman Road. When it hit the pole, the Caravan to burst into flames. The suspect then fled on foot, but was arrested after a short pursuit.

Darren John Pundyk, 35, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer, and possession of stolen property over $5,000.