Employees from the Hopkinton Public Schools Buildings and Grounds Department on Wednesday morning clear debris from the area where a vehicle struck the fence along Loop Road at the intersection with Hayden Rowe Street the previous evening. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

A North Billerica man was arrested Tuesday night on 14 charges, including cocaine trafficking and malicious destruction of property, after the allegedly stolen white BMW he was driving crashed into a fence along Loop Road.

According to the police report issued Wednesday morning, the Hopkinton Police Department received an alert from the Southborough Police Department at 7:58 p.m. Tuesday to be on the lookout for a possibly stolen vehicle heading toward Hopkinton.

An HPD officer encountered the vehicle shortly after the report came in.

“[The driver] took off and tried to ram [the officer],” the report stated.

“Moments later,” the HPD received two 911 calls reporting that a white BMW crashed into a fence, located at the intersection of Loop Road and Hayden Rowe Street. The driver “took off on foot,” according to the report.

Christopher M. Saunders Jr., 30, of North Billerica, was booked on the following charges:

1. Assault with a dangerous weapon;
2. Malicious destruction of property greater than $1,200;
3. Malicious destruction of property of $1,200 or less;
4. Failure to stop or yield for police;
5. Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
6. Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license;
7. Leaving the scene of property damage;
8. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle;
9. Use of a motor vehicle without authority;
10. Failure to stop for police;
11. Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute;
12. Trafficking of cocaine (36 grams or more, less than 100 grams);
13. Possession of a Class B drug;
14. Straight arrest warrant.

Deputy poice chief provides account of incident

In a press release Wednesday afternoon, HPD Deputy Chief Scott van Raalten gave a more detailed description  of the incident.

“On April 21, at approximately 10:03 p.m., Officer [Justin] Cappuccio responded to the area of Cedar Street near the Southborough town line after receiving radio traffic about a possible robbery in Southborough involving a white BMW sedan,” van Raaleten stated. “During the response, officers located a female individual near Route 85, close to the Southborough train station. She informed Southborough officers that she had argued with her boyfriend, Christopher Saunders, who drove away in the vehicle without her permission and with a suspended license.”

Shortly thereafter, Cappuccio spotted the BMW traveling northbound on Cedar Street toward Southborough.

“When the vehicle turned back toward Hopkinton, Officer Cappuccio activated his emergency lights to attempt to stop the driver,” according to the press release. “A short time later, the vehicle crashed into a fence and entered the front yard of 106 Hayden Rowe Street. Witnesses reported seeing a Black male wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants running southbound on Hayden Rowe Street away from the scene.

“A coordinated search involving Hopkinton Police, Southborough Police, Milford Police, Massachusetts State Police, K9 units and a drone was conducted in the area,” it continued. “A damaged GPS ankle monitor was later found in the wooded area near the EMC Park entrance and Marathon School.”

Saunders was eventually located in the garage of a house under construction on Myrtle Avenue and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the police station for booking.

“During a search of the vehicle, officers found a duffle bag containing a large amount of a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine,” according to the release. “Officers also recovered another cell phone, multiple small plastic bags, electronic scales, a container of fiber commonly used as a cutting agent, and a notebook containing names, contact information, and social media accounts of multiple individuals. Based on this evidence, officers believed these items were associated with drug distribution activities.”

“Yesterday’s incident was a strong example of teamwork and professionalism,” van Raalten stated. “I want to commend our officers, dispatchers and our partner agencies for their quick response and coordinated efforts that led to the suspect’s safe apprehension.”