Man flees from police following Bernardston traffic stop

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 10-24-2019 1:00 PM

BERNARDSTON — A Holyoke man has not been found since fleeing after the vehicle he was riding in was pulled over just north of Exit 28 on Interstate 91 northbound in Bernardston at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Lakeam A. Bennett, 27, provided false identification to Massachusetts State Police before fleeing on foot from the traffic stop, darting across the southbound lanes, where he was nearly struck by a vehicle, and into the woods, according to authorities. A police K9 that assisted in searching for Bennett was unsuccessful. It was later learned Bennett has five active warrants for his arrest from Holyoke and Springfield.

Approximately 50 grams (2,502 bags) of heroin was located in the vehicle Bennett was riding in. A warrant request was filed in Greenfield District Court, charging Bennett with failure to wear a seat belt, trafficking in heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

The driver of the vehicle, Juliette E. Renault, 20, of Florence, was arrested for speeding, trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws. She was taken to the State Police barracks in Shelburne for booking. According to police, Renault was held on $1,500 bail and transported to the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction to await arraignment in Greenfield District Court.

According to police, the arrest occurred after Trooper Scott Boutell was patrolling the interstate and pulled over a 2017 Toyota Camry after a registration query revealed the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license.

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