NORWICH – A 23-year-old Oxford man is heading to New York State Prison after entering a guilty plea in Chenango County Court Thursday.

Caden Cruz appeared before Judge James E. Downey and was represented by Alyssa Congdon. Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride represented the people.

On March 1, 2016, Cruz was arrested and charged with assault in the second degree, a class D felony; resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, a class A misdemeanor.

The charge of assault in the second degree alleges that Cruz intentionally attempted to prevent a police officer from performing a lawful duty, and in so doing, he caused a physical injury to such officer.

The charge of resisting arrest alleges that Cruz also intentionally prevented or attempted to prevent a police officer from effecting an authorized arrest of himself.

The charge of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument alleges that Cruz knowingly and unlawfully possessed a hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle.

In a previous article in The Evening Sun, it was reported that a Patrol Officer of the Norwich Police Department (NPD) attempted to make contact with an individual on Clinton Street.

According to authorities, the individual ran from the officer and began running through backyards. A second officer was already in the area and he also began searching for the individual.

During the search, the second officer located the individual hiding behind a garage on Clinton Street.

While attempting to take the individual into custody, the individual fought with the officer and the officer was injured. The individual was able to get away and he began running south through backyards.

Even after being injured, the officer continued to pursue the individual on foot.

During the foot pursuit, the initial officer caught the individual behind a residence on Birdsall Street. The individual continued to resist arrest and was able to get away a second time. At this time, the NPD requested the assistance from other law enforcement agencies.