BILLERICA — A man suspected of attempting to break into a storage facility led police on a late-night chase in a U-Haul van before being apprehended by a Massachusetts State Police K9 team, authorities said.
The pursuit began Monday at about 10:30 p.m. when Billerica Police alerted the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) to the chase, which started on local roads and continued onto Route 3 south.
Alexander Encarnacion, 29, of Providence, R.I., allegedly attempted the break-in with accomplices in a sedan.
While the sedan fled the scene and was not pursued, police followed the U-Haul driven by Encarnacion.
State Troopers joined the chase as Encarnacion drove onto Route 95 north.
During the pursuit, the U-Haul struck stop sticks deployed by MSP but continued on despite damaged tires.
Encarnacion exited Route 95 at Lynnfield and collided with an unoccupied Lynnfield Police cruiser near Summer Street.
He then fled on foot, prompting a search by MSP Troopers and Lynnfield Police.
MSP K9 Unit Trooper Christina Cavagnaro and her partner, Thor, located and captured Encarnacion at about 11:45 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue in Lynnfield.
Encarnacion was taken to Lahey Hospital in Peabody for treatment of bite injuries sustained during the arrest and was later booked at the State Police-Danvers Barracks on multiple charges, including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash, and resisting arrest.
After being held on $5,000 cash bail, which he did not post, Encarnacion is set to be arraigned at Peabody District Court this morning.
The investigation into the attempted break-in at the storage facility is still active and is being handled by the Billerica Police.
