SPRINGFIELD, MA — A Connecticut police pursuit suspect was arrested Saturday morning in Springfield following a multi-hour search.
John Cortes, 26, of Springfield, was taken into custody on the 0-100 block of Wilmont Street at approximately 9:30 a.m. May 9.
Connecticut State Police Troopers contacted the Springfield Police Department around 6:30 a.m. regarding a vehicle pursuit that occurred around 2 a.m.
Troopers stopped the vehicle and arrested three occupants, recovering a loaded assault rifle pistol.
The driver, identified as Cortes, fled on foot.
The vehicle involved was reported stolen.
Around 4 a.m., reports came in of a male matching Cortes’ description going through yards of homes in Longmeadow.
A Springfield Police K9 Officer patrolling Forest Park observed a suspect matching Cortes’ description and contacted assisting officers as the subject walked towards the “X.”
Members of the Springfield Police Neighborhood Stabilization Bureau arrived and detained the subject on Wilmont Street.
He was identified as Cortes and placed under arrest.
Officers recovered cocaine on the suspect.
Cortes has previous firearm convictions and an open firearms case in Hampden Superior Court.
Cortes had a warrant in connection with the incident Saturday morning in Connecticut with a request for extradition.
Cortes is charged with possession of a Class B drug and fugitive from justice on a court warrant.
