WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA — A man was taken into custody following a police pursuit and vehicle crash that ended in Westfield on Friday morning.
At approximately 9:05 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Mittineague Children’s Center for a motor vehicle complaint.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with Jeffrey James Yu, who was standing outside of a white Land Rover without license plates and with the hood raised.
Yu stated he was waiting for a tow and provided identifying paperwork to officers.
While an officer returned to their cruiser to verify the information, Yu entered the vehicle and fled the scene.
Officers activated emergency lights and sirens and pursued the vehicle westbound on Westfield Street.
During the pursuit, the Land Rover crossed over double yellow lines into the eastbound lane to pass traffic before returning to the westbound lane traveling at a high rate of speed.
For the safety of the public, West Springfield officers terminated the pursuit at the Westfield town line.
A short time later, officers were notified that Westfield Police Department located the vehicle crashed at the U-Haul Moving & Storage of Westfield on Springfield Road.
The vehicle sustained significant damage and subsequently caught fire.
Westfield officers observed the male operator fleeing on foot from the crash site.
K9 Frank responded to initiate a track and located Yu hiding underneath a box truck in the U-Haul parking lot.
As officers attempted to take him into custody, Yu became resistant.
K9 Frank gained control of Yu’s leg and maintained a firm grip despite Yu repeatedly kicking him in the head.
Due to Yu’s continued resistance and refusal to comply with lawful commands, a Taser was deployed.
The deployment was effective, and Yu was taken into custody without further incident.
Yu was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Yu is charged with resisting arrest, mistreating/interfering with a police K9, failure to stop for police, marked lanes violation, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, operating with a suspended license, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
K9 Frank was uninjured and returned to duty.
