LYNN ― The driver in Monday’s Saugus car chase was charged the following afternoon in Lynn District Court.
The driver, Jorge Delgado Medina, was arrested by Saugus police after a car chase Monday morning. He was charged Tuesday afternoon in Lynn District Court for failing to stop for police, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
Jennifer Capone, assistant district attorney at Essex County District Attorney’s Office, asked the court to set a $25,000 cash bail and require a GPS monitoring device be put on the defendant, in case he pays bail.
Capone cited the nature and circumstances of the offence ― the defendant was fleeing police, is serving a sentence outside of federal court and was driving the black Dodge Charger which was a suspect vehicle in the Saugus homicide investigation. The defendant also had assault and battery and armed robbery on his record, Capone said.
Capone said Medina is currently serving a sentence out of federal court for distribution of cocaine and is in a custodial release program, living in a sober house in Boston.
Jeffrey G. Sweeney, Medina’s defense attorney, asked the court to disregard that information and view the case as a misdemeanor motor-vehicle offense.
“This is just a ploy to keep my client in custody because they are investigating a homicide and (to) keep him there as long as possible,” said Sweeney. “But there are no facts before the court today for probable cause for homicide at this point.”
Sweeney said a $25,000 cash bail for a misdemeanor motor-vehicle offense is ridiculous.
He asked the court to set a nominal bail of $2,500. His client was born in Puerto Rico, but grew up in Melrose and attended Everett High School. About two weeks ago Medina started a job at a warehouse.
The court made a decision to set the bail at $10,000 and, if the bail is paid, the defendant will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device and stay confined to the sober house.
A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Jan. 19, 2022.
During the arraignment, Capone shared more information on the car chase on Monday.
Based on the police report filed by Saugus police on Dec. 13, Capone said, officers working the day shift were instructed to be on the lookout for a 2021 black Dodge Charger with a Vermont company-registered plate, as it was potentially connected to Saugus’ Essex Landing homicide case.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Sgt. Rappa received a phone call alerting him that another officer saw the suspect vehicle traveling past him on Boston Street in Lynn toward Saugus.
Sgt. Rappa saw the vehicle of interest drive past him on Hamilton Street towards Saugus. Rappa pulled a U-turn, turned on his blue lights and siren, and followed the black Dodge Charger.
The Charger initially pulled over, but after the driver saw he was being stopped by police, Capone said, he rapidly accelerated onto the main street and the chase ensued.
Eventually, the Charger turned onto Gilway Street in Saugus, accelerating at a high rate. Trying to flee from the police cars, he took a sharp turn, hit a small wall and sideswiped a tree in front of a home at 21 Gilway St.
The driver exited the vehicle with his hands above his head. He refused medical attention and was provided a citation, Capone said.
A homicide victim was discovered at one of the apartments at Essex Landing in Saugus, located at 44 Collins Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 11. Police identified the victim as Michael Norton, 26, who was found deceased in his home by his family members.
The Essex District Attorney’s Office, the Saugus Police and the Essex State Police Detective Unit are actively investigating the homicide, said Carrie Kimball, director of communications at the Essex District Attorney’s office. No one has been charged in the case at this time.
Norton’s family set up a GoFundme page to give him “the memorial he deserves, to honor his memory and say our last goodbye.”
“Let’s all pray for justice,” said Erica Ramos, who started the fundraiser and identified herself as Norton’s first cousin.