SPRINGFIELD — A 42-year-old Springfield man wanted in connection with an armed robbery was arrested Thursday morning after crashing into two police cruisers during a chase that ended on Interstate 291.
Ian James was taken into custody around 9 a.m. after officers located him in a vehicle in the downtown area.
Police had received information Thursday morning that James was involved in a May 31 firearm-armed robbery on the 1400 block of Main Street.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Main Street, but James refused to stop and drove recklessly through the city and onto I-291.
James crashed into two Springfield Police cruisers before officers were able to stop his vehicle on I-291.
After the crash, James attempted to escape by climbing out of the driver’s side window and approaching the guardrail before officers took him into custody.
An adult female passenger remained in the vehicle, was detained and then released.
Officers recovered two bags of cocaine and a knife with spiked metallic knuckles for its handle inside the car.
James’s vehicle also struck another vehicle on I-291, but the occupant was unharmed.
One officer inside a rammed cruiser was taken to Baystate Medical Center to evaluate his injuries and has since been discharged.
James was also taken to the hospital and discharged around 11 p.m., where he was then booked at Springfield Police Headquarters.
James faces multiple charges including firearm-armed and masked robbery, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and several drug-related charges.
He also faces charges for operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, carrying a dangerous weapon, operating with a suspended license, and leaving the scene of personal injury and property damage crashes.
