Beverly Man Rams Police Cruiser In Attempt To Flee

BEVERLY, MA -- A man was ordered held without bail after ramming a police cruiser, knocking over headstones in a cemetery and crashing into a tree as he tried to flee police Thursday morning. Beverly Police were looking for Juan Rodriguez, 45, of Hilltop Drive in Beverly, after his girlfriend went to police Thursday morning to report he had assaulted her in a Beverly home Wednesday night.

Beverly Police Officer Michael Boccuzzi said Rodriguez's Honda Pilot was spotted at St. Mary's Cemetery on Brimbal Avenue around 11:45 am. Police surrounded the cemetery and when Officer April Clarizia drove her cruiser towards the Honda, Rodriguez suddenly rammed the cruiser. As he fled in reverse, he knocked over headstones before crashing into a tree. He then crashed into the cruiser a second time.

Clarizia used the cruiser's push bar to force the Honda into brush as other officers move in. Despite being ordered out of the Honda at gunpoint, Rodriguez refused. Police used a Tazer on one of his legs.

Rodriguez was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty Friday to charges rape, domestic assault and battery, witness intimidation, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a police officer, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property, wanton destruction of property, and disorderly conduct. He also had bail revoked in another case.

Rodriguez is due back in court on Friday for a dangerousness hearing.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).