ORANGE — Three men have been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man they know on North Main Street on Monday before leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in Belchertown.

Ali Ayala, 22, of Springfield, Alex Santana, 31, and Juan Rodriguez, 31, both of Chicopee, pleaded not guilty to various charges in Orange District Court later that day. All were ordered held without the right to bail pending a dangerousness hearing that has been scheduled for Friday.

The three men are each charged with attempted murder. Additionally, Ayala faces charges of receiving stolen property exceeding $1,200 in value, malicious destruction of property exceeding $1,200 in value, failure to stop for police, speeding, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and a marked lanes violation. There also were three warrants out for Ayala’s arrest.

Santana has been charged with receiving stolen property exceeding $1,200 in value, malicious destruction of property exceeding $1,200 in value, resisting arrest and possession of a Class B drug. Meanwhile, Rodriguez faces charges of receiving stolen property exceeding $1,200 in value, malicious destruction of property exceeding $1,200 in value and resisting arrest.

According to the Orange Police Department, the incident began when dispatchers received a 911 call from a man stating there were people out to kill him. Orange officers were dispatched to the area of 600 North Main St. at 3:44 a.m. and saw a silver van leaving as soon as they arrived. Officers ordered the vehicle to stop, but it accelerated at a high rate of speed and continued south on South Main Street.

An officer stayed on scene to treat the victim, who was transported to Athol Hospital by the Orange Fire Department, while a second officer pursued the suspect vehicle. According to Orange Police, the victim was treated and released from the hospital.

An officer pursued the vehicle through New Salem, Shutesbury and Pelham, and observed numerous vehicle violations. The occupants allegedly threw objects out the window, striking the front of the pursuing cruiser and causing damage to it. These objects were later determined to be construction screws, according to Orange Police.

State Police troopers eventually joined the pursuit to assist the Orange officer, with a Belchertown officer also assisting once the vehicle entered that town. A short time later, according to Orange Police, the vehicle struck a guardrail and came to a rest in a field. The three occupants then allegedly fled on foot into the woods.

Orange officers assisted a State Police K-9 in finding two of the three individuals. Belchertown Police located the third in the area of Dunkin’ Donuts. The three men were arrested and taken to the Orange Police Station, where they were booked and transported to Orange District Court for arraignment.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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