By Jim Clark

While on patrol last Thursday evening, police performed a routine RMV inquiry on a vehicle that had pulled alongside the police cruiser near the intersection of Broadway and Cross St.

As the vehicle in question was reported as stolen out of Arlington on Feb. 23, the officers signaled for the car to pull over, but instead it took off at a high rate of speed onto Route 28 and then abruptly turned onto Blakely Ave., crossing over Garfield Ave., where the street dead ends.

The driver of the car and a passenger reportedly got out and began fleeing on foot. The officers gave chase and eventually caught up with one of the men, the passenger, who they detained for questioning.

The passenger was identified as Joel Lopez, of Cambridge. When asked why he ran he at first said that he was told to do so by the driver of the vehicle. Later he reportedly admitted that he knew the car was stolen and that he had been riding around in it for a few days, and identified the driver for police.

When the car was searched, a number of personal items were reportedly found scattered around inside, including two knives, a few sets of car keys, and two cell phones. One of the cell phones reportedly displayed a photo of the driver that had gotten away on foot. A warrant for the man was immediately activated.

Lopez was placed under arrest and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle and resisting arrest.