Officer chases 5 suspects across rooftops

ROXBURY, Mass. (WHDH) -- Five men are facing drug and gun charges following a wild roof top chase in Roxbury.

“I did cross over to the roof they were at to place them under arrest,” said Officer Michael Holden, Boston Police Dept.

It started with a call that came in as an assault. When officers arrived, they surrounded the house and heard commotion inside.

“We heard a good amount of footsteps running away from that front door towards the rear of the apartment. We had almost instant silence. We kept knocking on the door trying to make our presence, let them know if they don’t open that we’re going to break the door down if someone was held in there against their will,” said Officer Eliso Marrero.

Moments later Officer Michael Holden saw three of the suspects running.

“I proceeded to chase them up three flights of stairs, ending up on the roof. The three individuals continued on the roof. They made their way towards the front of the building and then hopped from that building to the next building which was back at 580,” said Officer Holden.

He then had to make a decision.

“I gave it some serious consideration and decided to follow them over, figuring that was a better course of action. Luckily for me, I was able to place all three under arrest with very little incident,” said Officer Holden.

Prosecutors said police recovered guns and a bag full of drugs at the scene.

“Inside of the nylon bag were four brick-like packages which were determined to be marijuana. They also found two clear plastic bags with brown powder substance believed to be heroin,” said the prosecutor.

Some of those suspects are being held on $1,000 cash bail. All of the suspects will appear in court next month.