A Springfield man who Massachusetts State Police say dragged a Lawrence police officer while fleeing the site of a shooting was arrested and will face charges for avoiding and struggling with Massachusetts State Police troopers attempting to place him in custody.
Police charged Junior Arias Lara, 31, with failure to stop for police, resisting arrest, and unlicensed operation. Arias Lara will also face charges in connection with an early morning shooting near Fitz Street in Lawrence on Monday, but it was not immediately clear Thursday morning what those charges were.
On Monday, a Lawrence police officer stopped a car believed to be involved in the shooting and was “dragged a short distance” when the vehicle, which State Police say Aria Lara was driving, fled. A description of the vehicle was sent to State Police patrols in the area, and a trooper began searching for it, the agency said in a statement.
The trooper located the vehicle, a white Honda, shortly after 3 a.m. as it was taking the ramp from I-93 south to I-495 south. The trooper stopped the car, at which point Arias Lara fled on foot into a nearby swamp, according to the statement.
Arias Lara was contained after the trooper and a sergeant on the scene chased after him, State Police said. The trooper ordered him to keep his hands visible, but Arias Lara “repeatedly ignored” his orders, dropping his hands and reaching into his waistband. As the trooper approached Arias Lara to arrest him, he began to struggle with the trooper and again tried to flea, according to the statement
The trooper “utilized controlling techniques” and took Arias Lara to the ground, and the man continued to struggle and hide his hands, officials said. The trooper used “defensive tactics” to subdue the man, handcuffed him, and placed him into custody.
Arias Lara was transferred to Lawrence Police, where charges were filed against him in connection with the shooting and the traffic stop where he is accused of dragging the officer.
