Two Men Arrested After Car, Foot Chase In Salem

SALEM, MA -- A Hyde Park man was ordered held on $100,000 bail on drug and other charges after leading Salem Police on a chase Wednesday. David Avalo, 22, and Michael Calcano, 19, of 24 Salem Street in Salem, were arrested after a foot chase through the Salem State University campus. The two men fled from a vehicle Avalo was driving after he failed to stop for police, according to court records.

During a pat down, police found 32 grams of crack cocaine hidden in Avalo's crotch. According to court records, Avalo claimed the search was illegal, vowed to beat the case as he was being arrested, made a comment about a police officer's wife and told arresting officers he had already swallowed "the good stuff."

Avalo pleaded not guilty Thursday to cocaine trafficking, multiple counts of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and motor vehicle charges. Calcano was released on personal recognizance on a charge of disorderly conduct. Both men are scheduled to return to court on October 17.

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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).