Cops: Phone-talking driver faces slew of charges

Laramie Briggs, 28, of Bridgeport, was charged around 10:15 a.m. Monday with interfering with an officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a vehicle without a hands-free device and operating under suspension.

The incident unfolded when an officer on patrol allegedly spotted Briggs talking on a cell phone while driving west on Kings Highway. Briggs put the phone down briefly when passing by the officer -- parked at the Super Stop & Shop -- but then put it back to his ear soon after, according to police.

The officer checked Briggs' license plate to verify its registration, but the computer reported there was "no info found."

When the officer tried signaled to Briggs to pull over, he did not initially heed the command, police said. He eventually came to a halt on North Avenue in Bridgeport.

He was held in lieu of $5,000 bond for a Monday appearance in Bridgeport Superior Court.