Monterey Police Department officers apprehended a fugitive wanted in six states following a brief foot pursuit at a South Holly Street convenience mart.
Public Information Officer David Corley said the encounter began when officers identified a stolen motorcycle and tag in the parking lot. The suspect attempted to flee the scene before being tackled and taken into custody by responding officers.
“Officers from the Monterey Police Department were conducted the casual encounter at the convenience mart with Mr. Belcher,” Corley said. “During that casual encounter, Mr. Belcher attempted to run from the scene. Officers were able to get a hold of him, ended up having to tackle him in the parking lot and he was placed into custody at that point.”
Corley said James Belcher was found to have outstanding warrants from six different states after officers verified his identification. Belcher was also in possession of a glass pipe and a bag containing what appeared to be methamphetamine, Corley said.
“Monterey Police Department’s working hard every day to make sure that the town of Monterey stays safe,” Corley said. “Mr. Belcher in the criminal databases was listed as a dangerous individual. So I think he is a, we were able to take somebody very dangerous off the streets and get him back into custody where he’s probably going to end up spending a lot of years in prison.”
Corley said officers discovered a realistic-looking BB gun that resembled a handgun during the arrest. Emergency medical services treated Belcher for minor injuries sustained during the pursuit before he was transported to the Putnam County jail, Corley said.
“He will more than likely on the warrants that we were able to find out about yesterday, he stands to serve possibly 30 plus years on those warrants, plus whatever time he will serve off the charges that he was charged with here in Monterey,” Corley said.
Corley said Belcher had traveled from the interstate into Monterey on the stolen motorcycle shortly before the encounter occurred. Belcher faces multiple local charges and is being held on a $78,000 bond, though he is currently held without bond on a felony fugitive from justice charge, Corley said.
“He had ridden a motorcycle off the interstate up into Monterey and we were within a few minutes, we were able to have him in custody,” Corley said. “It just, everything just aligned yesterday and we, and thankfully, nobody got seriously hurt and we were able to take a very dangerous man off the streets.”