Police track down escapee, also hit woman by accident
Published on April 18th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - A Wakefield speed demon escaped from Stoneham Police last Monday, traveling by motorcycle, pick-up truck and his own two feet. Then the police figured out who he was, they say, and arrested him the next day.
James Fletcher, 32, of 4 Hart Street of Wakefield allegedly took police on a triathlon of moving violations around 7 p.m. on April 9. Stoneham police charged Fletcher with driving to endanger, failing to stop for police, driving after a revoked license, speeding, failing to stop for a stop sign and driving without a registration.
Stoneham Police Officer Paul Norton spotted a man speeding north on Main Street Stoneham on a Honda motorcycle. Norton followed, but the bike was gone in seconds up Broadway toward Wakefield, according to Norton’s report. Then Norton called Wakefield Police and proceeded up the hill to take a last look to see if he could determine which way the bike went.
The man, later identified as Fletcher, had dumped the bike at the bottom of the hill after the MacArthur Road intersection, and he was running. Norton ran after him and witnessed Fletcher cut through yards and jump into a red pick-up truck across the line in Wakefield, according to the police report. Norton had to abandon his chase at this point and let Wakefield take over.
Wakefield Police found and questioned the owner of the red pick-up. At first the man said he did not know the stranger who jumped into his truck, but he changed his story and gave up Fletcher in a written statement.
“When he was told he would have to write down what happened, he decided to change his story,” Stoneham Detective George Alger said.
Fletcher is awaiting a hearing.
Pedestrian struck
Stoneham Police Officer Tony Kranefuss accidentally drove into an old woman as he was backing his Ford Ranger into the police garage last Thursday afternoon.
Barbara Hanson, 69, of 18 Common Street in Stoneham was rushed to Lahey Clinic. The police report at the scene said that she suffered “serious visible injuries.” Hanson is home from the hospital and recovering, but she does have a lawyer.
According to Stoneham Police Sgt. Thomas D’Onofrio’s report, Hanson stepped from behind the wall dividing bays one and two of the three-bay police station garage as Kranefuss was backing into bay 2. The collision caused a small dent in the tailgate of Kranefuss’ Ford.
No citations were filed.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!