LOWELL — A Lowell man who police said was wanted on illegal firearm charges and several other warrants was captured after causing a two-car crash while attempting to flee from police on Saturday night.
The suspect, 28-year-old Luis Morales, was uninjured in the crash, while the operator of the other vehicle involved in the wreck — near the intersection of Angle and Lincoln streets — suffered minor injuries, said Lowell Police Capt. James Hodgdon.
The incident started around 8 p.m. when an officer from the Gang Unit noticed a black Audi sedan in the driveway of 19 Washington St. — known to police as Morales’ residence, Hodgdon said. A short time later the officer spotted the same Audi on Washington Street and activated his lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
“The operator refused to stop and struck a vehicle on Angle and Lincoln Street,” Hodgdon said.
Morales then exited the damaged Audi and ran on foot toward Washington. The officer pursued him, also on foot, but initially lost sight of the 28-year-old. According to the emergency radio broadcast, there were reports he may be armed with a gun.
Multiple police cruisers were called to the scene, and minutes after the crash, officers found Morales in a wooded area. Hodgdon said a firearm was not located on the suspect.
The driver of the vehicle struck by the Audi was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The stolen Audi sedan was described as totaled by police over the radio broadcast.
Morales was arrested for nine warrants. Police also charged him with failure to stop for police, driving to endanger, receiving stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury.
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