BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2012—A Weymouth man is now the target of an arrest warrant after he apparently fled the arraignment session of Dorchester District Court, where he was to face charges that he bought a bag of heroin and then fled Boston Police officers as they approached his car, dragging one down Columbia Road, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Judge Robert Baylor issued a bench warrant for ERIC J. NELSON (D.O.B. 5/12/66) after Nelson failed to appear during his arraignment today. Nelson posted $1,000 cash bail set by the bail commissioner after his arrest yesterday morning, appeared in court today, and spoke with an attorney and probation officer; when his case was called, however, he was not present in the courthouse.

Nelson was expected to be arraigned on charges of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, using a motor vehicle without authority, possession of a Class A substance, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering, and resisting arrest, all stemming from an incident yesterday at about 11:40 a.m.

Members of the District B-2 Drug Control Unit observed a 2012 Nissan Sentra registered to Nelson’s mother driving around the block while making phone calls several times before coming to a stop in the area of Devon Street and Vaughn Avenue. After a few minutes, another man entered the car, sat in the front seat for several seconds, and exited the car.

Based on their training and experience, the officers suspected a drug transaction and acted to stop both Nelson and the second man. A cruiser stopped Nelson near Columbia Road and Annabel Street and an officer approached his Nissan. As the officer did so, Nelson allegedly gunned the engine and sped off with the officer holding onto the passenger’s side window.

The officer sustained injuries to his lung, spleen, and back that were not life-threatening.

Nelson allegedly sped down Columbia Road over the posted speed limit, crossing double lines, and failing to stop for red lights before turning onto Dorchester Avenue and ultimately the rear driveway of a Mt. Vernon Street residence. Nelson allegedly ran into that residence, where officers pursued him and apprehended him on a second-floor landing.

“You got me,” he allegedly stated.

In the interim, Nelson’s vehicle was towed by a commercial tow company at the request of Boston Police. On reaching the tow yard, the tow truck driver contacted Boston Police to inform them that he had found a plastic bag containing a white powder in the Nissan’s cup holder. The powder field-tested positive for heroin.

The man who allegedly sold Nelson the heroin, MIGUEL ARROYO (D.O.B. 2/27/68) of Dorchester, will be summonsed to court at a later date.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.