Elias J. Sudler, the 27-year-old Boston man that led State and Haverhill Police on a wide-ranging manhunt across the city Wednesday was ordered held without bail Thursday by Haverhill District Court Judge Patricia Dowling.
His next court appearance is a Sept. 28 video conference.
According to a State Police affidavit from Newbury-based Trooper Chanel Moreau, Sudler gave his name as Brandon Thompson when pulled over alongside Isaq Abdul-Shafi Wednesday near the exit 50 offramp of I-495. Abdul-Shafi told police they were on the way to do work on his uncle’s roof.
When Moreau ran the pickup truck’s plates, she and partner Trooper Gary Comeau observed Sudler’s “furtive movements” in an effort to reach something behind the driver’s seat. A struggle ensued and Moreau worried the suspect was “positioning himself to kick me” as they fought over possession of the backpack, which police say contained a firearm. Sudler was Tasered, causing him to release the backpack, and fled on foot.
Police chased Abdul-Shafi through Haverhill’s Lafayette Square where he stopped in the CVS parking lot. He was arrested without incident.
During a search of the truck, police recovered a wallet with identification in Sudler’s name.
At Thursday’s arraignment, Abdul-Shafi was granted $3500 bail.