Suspects Captured After Search Through Swamp

Two men will be arraigned in Lowell District Court Friday morning after leading police on a chase through swampy terrain off Whipple Road Thursday night.

Justin Halloran, 30, and Alexander Sousa, 25, face multiple charges, including possession of Class D and Class C drugs, according to Tewskbury Police Lt. Scott Gaynor.

The incident began just after 7:30 p.m., said Gaynor, when Det. Dennis Patterson spotted a vehicle being driven by Halloran. A records check indicated that Halloran was driving with a suspended license and Peterson, along with Officer Albert Piccolo, tried to pull the vehicle over near the Town Common.

Rather than pull over, Halloran allegedly hit the gas and drove up Pleasant Street, turning right onto Whipple Road. According to Gaynor, Halloran then turned right onto Marston Street and nearly struck a jogger. After turning onto Cinnamon Circle,  he stopped and he and a passenger, later identified as Sousa, jumped out of the car and fled into the woods.

It was familiar territory for Halloran who, according to records, lives at 83 Cinnamon Circle.

Knowing the type of terrain the suspects were heading into, Tewksbury Police immediately called for support from Billerica's K9 unit, as well as the State Police Airwing helicopter.

Gaynor said the suspects were tracked down through combined efforts, including help from several residents, who called into Police Headquarters, reporting two shirtless men running through their property.

According to Gaynor, both men sustained minor injuries, as they tried to elude capture by going through swampy terrain located behind the residential neighborhoods.

"That's not a good place to be, back there," said Gaynor.

Halloran is charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to stop for a police officer, possession of a Class D substance, possession of a Class C substance and three outstanding warrants. A warrant out of Dorchester District Court is for operating with a suspended license; a warrant out of Lowell District Court is for receiving stolen property; and a warrant out of Lynn District Court is for Larceny.

Sousa is charged with possession of a Class C substance, possession of a Class D substance, disturbing the peace and trespassing.