Stonington -- State and local police were able to apprehend a man in the woods next to the Pawcatuck Little League complex early Sunday night after he fled on foot from a state police traffic stop on Interstate 95.

Stonington Police Capt. Todd Olson said that state police had stopped a car in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 about 5 p.m. A Stonington officer responded to assist as police learned the man, who was passenger in the car, had a warrant for his arrest out of Georgia.

When police got the man out of the car, Olson said he ran across the highway onto the median, ran back to the side of the road and back to the median before he was able to escape. He later was able to cross the northbound lane into the area of North Anguilla Road. Traffic meanwhile backed up on the highway.

Groton Town police also responded, as did several K9 units, and they set up a perimeter to search for the man.

Police then received a report from people at the nearby Little League complex where three games were being played, that they could see the man in the woods. One of the K9 units located the man “hunkered down” in the woods at 6:50 p.m. Olson said. The man suffered a dog bite to his right calf and was taken to Westerly Hospital for treatment. There were no other injuries. The games were halted and will be resumed at a future date as police rushed to the Little League complex.  

Olson referred questions about the man's identity and the charges against him as well as the female driver to state police, as it is their case. State police said late Sunday night that the man, who they did not immediately identify, would be charged with being a fugitive from justice as well as interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest. State police said his identity would be released after his arrest has been processed.    

Olson said the search and apprehension of the man was the first opportunity the town has had to use its new connection with the state police radio system. He said it allowed Stonington, Groton Town and state police to communicate seamlessly with each other as they were able to know exactly where each officer was located throughout the search. 

“It was a huge asset in taking this guy into custody,” he said.