WEST SPRINGFIELD — A 35-year-old man with no known address was arrested Tuesday night after leading police on a chase that ended with him wading into the Connecticut River.
Wilmer Javier Herrera-Fuentes faces six charges including moped violations, unlicensed operation, failing to stop for police, refusing to identify himself, resisting arrest and a fugitive from justice warrant.
At approximately 8:19 p.m. July 29, a patrol officer observed a moped traveling eastbound on Memorial Avenue with two people aboard, according to West Springfield Police Department.
The officer noted the moped was traveling over 30 mph, which requires vehicle registration, but saw no license plate or registration tags.
The passenger noticed the police cruiser and alerted the operator, who then made evasive maneuvers through traffic to escape.
The officer boxed in the moped and removed the key from the ignition.
When asked for identification, the operator said his name was Javier but claimed he could not remember his last name or date of birth.
Officers attempted to detain him with handcuffs, but he violently thrashed and broke free, running eastbound down Memorial Avenue toward the rotary.
The suspect ran down the Route 5 off-ramp into brush by the Connecticut River.
Another officer observed him enter the river to chest height and walk south in the water.
Officers pleaded with the suspect to exit the river, but he refused to comply.
Police requested assistance from West Springfield and Springfield fire departments to launch boats.
Officers boarded the boats and eventually located and arrested the suspect without further incident.
Medics checked the suspect, who declined further medical treatment.
He was transported to police headquarters and identified as Herrera-Fuentes, who had an active fugitive from justice warrant out of Florida.
