State Police Arrest Suspect in Attempted Storage Facility Break After Pursuit of U-Haul Van

Massachusetts State Troopers apprehended a man suspected of trying to break into a Billerica storage facility after pursuing the U-Haul van the man was driving late last night. The suspect, ALEXANDER ENCARNACION, 29, of Providence, R.I., was captured in Lynnfield by a Massachusetts State Police K9 team.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 PM Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 when Billerica Police informed MSP that they were pursuing a 2008 Ford Econoline U-Haul van from local roads onto Route 3 south. The occupant of the van, as well as accomplices in a sedan, had allegedly tried to break into a storage facility, according to the facility’s manager. Responding Billerica Police Officers pursued the van as it sped away from them; the sedan also sped away and was not pursued.

The fleeing suspect in the U-Haul van took the ramp from Route 3 south to Route 95 north with Billerica and MSP cruisers in pursuit. The Trooper observed that the van’s rear license plate was covered and that the suspect driving it was wearing an orange ski mask. As the pursuit approached Exit 57 (North Avenue) in Wakefield, the suspect vehicle struck stop sticks, a tire deflation device, put onto the road by a Trooper but kept going.

At approximately 10:45 PM the suspect vehicle exited Route 95 north at Exit 59 (Main Street) in Lynnfield and crashed into an unoccupied Lynnfield Police cruiser in the area of Summer Street. The suspect fled from the van on foot. MSP Troopers and Lynnfield Police began a search for the suspect.

Shortly before 11:45 PM MSP K9 Unit Trooper Christina Cavagnaro and her partner, Thor, located and apprehended the suspect on Lincoln Avenue in Lynnfield. The suspect was subsequently identified as ENCARNACION.

ENCARNACION was transported to Lahey Hospital in Peabody under MSP guard for treatment of bite injuries sustained during apprehension by the K9. He was released from the hospital a short time later and transported to the State Police-Danvers Barracks, where he was booked on the following charges:

1. Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle;

2. Leaving the Scene of a Crash that Caused Property Damage;

3. Resisting Arrest;

4. Disorderly Conduct;

5. Failure to Stop for Police;

6. Marked Lanes Violation;

7. Speeding; and

8. Improper Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

A bail clerk ordered ENCARNACION held on $5,000 cash bail, which he did not post. He was held overnight and is being transported to Peabody District Court this morning for arraignment.

The investigation into the storage facility break-in is ongoing and under jurisdiction of Billerica Police.

ENCARNACION’s booking photo is below:

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