Man Suspected Of Bolton Break-In Arrested After Police Pursuit
LANCASTER (CBS) – A man suspected of breaking into a home in Bolton was arrested Friday morning after a police chase into Lancaster.
Lancaster Police released a photo of the suspect, who was later identified as Elvis Hopkins of Johnston, Rhode Island.
Hopkins has a lengthy criminal record, mostly for breaking and entering charges.
Around 8:30 a.m., Bolton Police began searching for Hopkins.
A retired police officer saw Hopkins in his back yard. Hopkins told the man he was looking for directions, but he found the behavior suspicious so he snapped a picture of the man and his car and sent them to police.
Police say Hopkins tried to back the resident over with his car as he fled.
Hopkins was eventually found driving nearby, but failed to stop for police. Hopkins crashed in Lancaster near the intersection of Route 117 and Route 70.
Julie Jakubowicz was nearly hit head-on by Hopkins. Instead, he only took off her side mirror.
"I feel very lucky. I have an angel watching over me," said Jakubowicz.
Officers from Bolton, Sterling, Lancaster joined Massachusetts State Police in pursuit of Hopkins. He reached speeds of 100 MPH before crashing and fleeing on foot in Lancaster.
Police were looking for Hopkins in the area of Mary Rowlandson Elementary School and Luther Burbank Middle School, prompting both schools to be placed on lockdown.
Hopkins was spotted by a Lancaster firefighter running across Route 70.
Around 10:30 a.m. Hopkins was arrested running behind the Perkins School.
Hopkins' defense attorney said he "panicked" because was driving without a valid license.
He was arraigned in Clinton District Court on Friday for multiple charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and failing to stop for police.
A judge ordered Hopkins held without bail until a dangerousness hearing on June 2.