A Salem man is in custody after police said he led them on a brief chase through the city Thursday night, ramming a police car before crashing into a parked car.

A patrol officer pulled over a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence on Calhoun Street in the downtown area just before midnight, according to a Salem police news release. As the officer spoke to the driver, the driver pulled away.

A second officer pursued the car, which rammed into the police car while heading west on West Fourth Street, the release said. The car made a left turn onto Roanoke Street, where it entered a parking lot and crashed into a parked vehicle, ending the pursuit.

No one was injured during the chase, which covered less than a mile, the release said.

Police arrested Kevin L. Westmoreland, 32, and charged him with assault on a police officer, property damage and eluding police - all felonies - plus misdemeanor charges of driving on a revoked license, reckless driving and expired vehicle registration.

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16 hours ago