NORTHAMPTON — Easthampton police dog Gino was deployed Saturday morning to track down a suspect who was wanted on multiple felony charges.
Kevin Santiago, 21, of Springfield, was arrested Saturday on two charges of kidnapping and two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon after a domestic altercation where he allegedly held a knife up and refused to let two women and a child leave the house, according to court documents. By the time the Northampton Police Department had arrived at the scene at Hampshire Heights off Jackson Street, Santiago had fled into the woods nearby.
Around 2:30 a.m., the Easthampton K-9 unit responded to a call from Northampton to assist in locating Santiago, according to the Easthampton Police Department’s Facebook page. Court records show that a Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit also responded to the scene.
“As Gino began an area search towards the woods behind the suspect’s last known location, the suspect became aware of Gino’s presence and surrendered,” the Easthampton Police Department posted.
Santiago called out of the woods with his hands raised and said “Don’t hurt me,” court records show. Officers pointed their firearms, thinking that Santiago might still be carrying a knife, the records say.
Santiago was arraigned Monday in Northampton District Court and pleaded not guilty. He was released on personal recognizance with a restraining order.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.