By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers on a morning patrol last week received reports of a stolen car Lo-Jack code being transmitted in the area sent them on a search for the vehicle.

The car in question was reported as coming out of Watertown.

Equipped with Lo-Jack detection gear, the officers eventually narrowed their search to a location near Concord and Prospect Streets.

Turning down Bolton St., the officers spotted the car parked there and approached it on foot to investigate further.

At first, the vehicle appeared to be unoccupied, according to the officers’ reports, but as they got closer they observed a man, later identified as Terrance Morrison, of Cambridge, rising up from the back seat area, as if he had been sleeping there.

According to reports, Morrison appeared to be startled by the officers as they approached on each side of the car and scrambled back and forth, seemingly in search of a means to evade capture.

Morrison eventually opened a door and began to exit from the car, apparently in compliance with the officers’ commands, police said, but instead of cooperating with them he reportedly tried bolting past them, shoving them aside.

The officers reportedly got hold of Morrison before he could get away, and after quite a bit of scuffling got him to the ground and handcuffed.

According to reports, Morrison struck at the officers several times as he attempted to break free, and was eventually given a shot of pepper spray as an aid in getting him under control.

Once secured into custody, Morrison reportedly apologized several times for what he had done.

Watertown police indicated that they wanted the vehicle held for fingerprint analysis, as there was an investigation underway concerning similar car thefts in their area.

Watertown police also advised the Somerville officers that a search was underway for a stolen rosary bead necklace. Such a necklace was found in the back seat of the car that Morrison was discovered in.

Morrison has been charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer. In addition, he was also booked on warrant charges of witness intimidation, assault and battery on a family or household member, failure to stop for police, threat to commit a crime, resisting arrest, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.