SOUTHBRIDGE — Detectives attempted to stop a vehicle on Mechanic Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, leading to a high-speed pursuit that ended with the recovery of a firearm and the eventual arrest of the driver.
The operator, identified as Eric Smith Jr., allegedly accelerated to a high rate of speed when officers tried to stop him.
Police attempted to deploy stop sticks but were unsuccessful as Smith continued fleeing.
Smith drove through a rotary in the wrong direction, nearly striking several vehicles head-on, before speeding down East Main Street and turning onto Dudley River Road.
Authorities terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns.
During a search of the pursuit route, a Dudley Police Department sergeant recovered a white pillowcase containing a firearm in the snow along the roadside.
A police drone deployed to the area detected a heat signature from the firearm, indicating it had been recently discarded.
Following further investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Smith.
Officers located and arrested Smith without incident at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19.
Smith, 20, of 4 Village Drive in Southbridge, faces multiple charges including possession of a firearm without a License to Carry, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of an untraceable firearm during the commission of a felony, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and other motor vehicle violations.
Smith posted $10,000 cash bail and was arraigned in Dudley District Court on Thursday, March 20.
