Neghborhood helps Marblehead Police nab suspect

MARBLEHEAD – Police thanked neighbors in the area of Foss Terrace for their help leading to the arrest of a Danvers man on charges of driving while high and then punching an officer in the face.”The Marblehead Police would like to thank the different citizens who came forward to provide information relating to this incident, which helped to identify the individual,” Marblehead Police wrote in a Facebook post Sunday.Francisco C. Sthilaire, 19, of 17 Ryan Road, Danvers, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of drugs; leaving the scene of property damage, two counts; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; assault and battery on a police officer; resisting arrest; disorderly conduct; and malicious destruction of property +$250; at 5:54 p.m. Saturday.Marblehead Police responded to the area of Foss Terrace off Pond Street just before 6 p.m. Saturday on a report that a motor vehicle had crashed and possibly broken a gas line, police said. Officers arrived to find the vehicle had crashed into a utility pole and was still running and in gear, police said.Witnesses told police the driver left the car on foot, and witnesses were able to give officers a description of the individual. Police said an officer found a man matching that description, later identified as Sthilaire, on Pond Street. But Sthilaire allegedly bolted.The officer caught up with Sthilaire and brought him toward the police cruiser when the suspect allegedly punched the officer in the face and broke free. The officer and a colleague caught up with Sthilaire after a brief foot chase, and the suspect had to be sprayed with pepper spray after punching and kicking the officers.Both the suspect and a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle were taken to North Shore Medical Center. The officers were bruised but otherwise uninjured and continued with their duties, police said.Police said the incident – contrary to rumors – was not part of a police chase nor were the individuals wanted in connection with the recent overnight vehicle breaking and enterings from last week.The passenger, who remained with the vehicle after the crash, is not facing charges at this time.Sthilaire is scheduled to be arraigned in Lynn District Court at a later date.