CONCORD - A local man ran three stop signs, crashed into a utility pole and then ran from the accident scene, leaving three small children behind in his damaged car, police said.

Lloyd Cooper, 24, is under arrest, charged with driving after revocation or suspension; conduct after an accident; endangering the welfare of a child, three counts; disobeying an officer; resisting arrest or detention; possession of marijuana, and transportation of marijuana.

The children, ages 6, 4 and 1, were not injured. They were released to family.

Police said the incident began about 5:30 p.m. Friday when a patrol officer saw a car turn “erratically” at the intersection of Pierce and Perley streets, running the stop sign, according to a press release.

The car continued north on Pierce Street where it ran another stop sign and continued onto Thorndike Street where, for the third time, it blew through a stop sign, police said.

Police said shortly after it crashed into a utility pole. The driver, identified by police as Cooper, fled the scene on foot, but the officer caught up to him near Rumford School and arrested him.

It was only then that the officer learned Cooper left the children behind in the car.

Police said they found marijuana inside the vehicle.

Concord police said the officer's report did not indicate the relationship of the children to the driver, although they were released to Cooper's wife.

What's next: Cooper is being held on $8,000 cash bail pending arraignment Monday morning in 6th Circuit Court, Concord District.