Local News
Authorities say Armando Deleon led troopers on a 105 mph pursuit over the iconic Cape Cod bridge Thursday before barricading himself in his home.
A 74-year-old Falmouth man was held without bail Friday after prosecutors said he led police on a 105 mph wrong-way chase across the Bourne Bridge.
Armando Deleon was arraigned in Falmouth District Court on more than a dozen charges stemming from Thursday’s incident, according to Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois.
The pursuit began shortly after state police responded to a medical emergency on Route 25 eastbound in Bourne. According to prosecutors, a dark-colored sedan abruptly swerved from the middle lane into the breakdown lane, coming close to striking a state trooper, two EMS personnel, and a patient who was lying on a stretcher.
Police said the driver continued traveling in the breakdown lane, prompting a trooper to turn on emergency lights and pursue the vehicle toward the Bourne Bridge.
Heavy traffic backed up for about three miles, forcing the car to stop near the top of the bridge, prosecutors said. As additional troopers approached and ordered the driver out of the vehicle, Deleon allegedly accelerated away, making contact with troopers before continuing eastbound.
Authorities said Deleon then drove the wrong way over the Bourne Bridge and into the Bourne Rotary before weaving through traffic at speeds of up to 105 mph in a 55 mph zone.
“At that time, the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns and creating unsafe roadway conditions for innocent drivers,” prosecutors said in a press release.
Troopers identified Deleon as the driver and, along with Falmouth police officers, responded to his address.
“Ongoing efforts were made to get Mr. Deleon to surrender himself, but ultimately, he had barricaded himself inside the residence and law enforcement had to enter the home to remove him,” prosecutors said.
Deleon faces charges including willfully obstructing an emergency vehicle, speeding, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, marked lanes violations, breakdown lane violations, leaving the scene of personal injury, failing to slow for emergency vehicles, resisting arrest, four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, possession of a Class B drug, and disorderly conduct.
A judge ordered Deleon held without bail due to dangerousness. He is scheduled to return to Falmouth District Court on Aug. 5 for a pretrial hearing.
In a statement, Galibois said he is “grateful for the swift, coordinated response of our law enforcement partners. Their decision-making and commitment to public safety was instrumental in bringing a potentially dire situation to a safe resolution.”
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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