Peabody Man Facing Three Charges In Lynnfield

Lynnfield, Peabody and state police apprehended a 22-year old Peabody man Tuesday afternoon after a short pursuit that began with an attempted traffic stop in Lynnfield.

Patrolman Mark Bettencourt indicated in his report that he saw the 1998 Audi AG driven by Michael Torrence cross the double yellow line near Salem Street and Munroe Street in Lynnfield. When the police lights went on, the suspect allegedly accelerated and passed a couple of cars onto Route 1 North, with the cruiser in pursuit into Peabody.  

Bettencourt reported that he turned off the cruiser's lights as he approached a higher-traffic section of Peabody. However, the Lynnfield officer was still able to keep track of the suspect's car, apparently because it had struck the median at Dearborn Road, Peabody, during the pursuit and was now emitting a trail of black smoke and fluid.

A number of bystanders along the way also assisted by pointing out the direction the suspect's vehicle had traveled, right up to the street where he was found.

Along with Bettencourt, Lynnfield Officer Kilroy and Sergeant Trapasso joined Police Chief David Breen at the scene. Peabody sent two police cruisers, and three state troopers arrived as well.

Bettencourt reported finding the suspect's unoccupied car about 200 feet into a wooded area at the end of Pearl Road, where he apparently lives. From there, the police checked out an unlocked shed behind 12 Pearl Road, where they reportedly found Torrence.

The state police took Torrence into custody over an active default warrant involving a larceny over $250 charge. He was also arrested by Lynnfield Police for three separate charges: operating with a revoked license, failing to stop for police, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.