SALEM — A pleasant spring evening on River Street was interrupted Friday by a flurry of police activity.
John Carr of 7 River St. noticed a cruiser with flashing blue lights barrel past his house and then, moments later, he watched another cruiser speed down the road in the opposite direction against the one-way.
"We knew something was up," Carr said.
So the 62-year-old attorney stepped outside. Soon after, Carr saw a man walk out of the backyard of his neighbor's house across the street. Carr didn't recognize him and sensed something was wrong. He shouted at the stranger to "stop!" but the man took off running.
Carr followed after him for about 50 feet until he caught up and channeled the nimbleness of his youth.
"I haven't made a flying tackle since I was in high school," he said.
Carr had a hold of Aquiles M. Sanchez Jr., a 27-year-old Salem man whom police earlier watched participate in an apparent drug deal in the parking lot of Boston Billiards on Dodge Street Court. Sanchez fled from police, first in a car, swerving through crowded downtown streets, and then on foot.
Close behind Carr was his son, Andrew, 27, who left the house without putting on shoes. The father and son held Sanchez down with help from River Street neighbors David Hallowes and Rick Johnson. The suspect promised he would stay put if they let him loose. But when the group obliged, he took off again and Carr had to tackle him a second time, he said. Eventually, Officer Michael Page showed up and arrested Sanchez.
Sanchez is facing a number of charges, including trafficking in oxycodone, resisting arrest and operating a motor vehicle to endanger. He ditched his Honda in the parking lot of Murphy's Funeral home after almost striking two people leaving a service, according to police.
Shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday, members of the Police Department's community impact and special response units observed what looked like a transaction between Sanchez and Leonel Igor Grullon, 22, of Lafayette Street, Salem. Grullon faces multiple charges, as well, and was found with $10,000 on him during booking. He attempted to evade police on foot, and, in a struggle to apprehend him, Officer Brian St. Pierre dislocated his finger.
Carr didn't consider the possible dangers of his pursuit.
"It was all instinct," he said.
About two years ago, he did something similar when he ran down a man who had stolen Carr's wife's pocketbook in Peabody.
"It's definitely commendable," police Sgt. Marc Berube said of the citizens' involvement. "But obviously you have to use caution because sometimes you don't know what you're dealing with."
Carr said Sanchez picked the wrong street.
"We're close-knit, and we tend to look out for one another. ... It's an impossible street to lose yourself in."
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