SALEM – A moped driver was arrested on several charges for allegedly crossing into oncoming traffic and causing two Salem police cruisers to get into a fender bender on Route 28, police said.

Rafael Tejada, 26, of Lawrence, Mass., was apprehended by police shortly after 11:36 p.m. on Monday, July 30.

Police attempted to pull over Tejada while he was driving eastbound on Cluff Crossing Road without protective eyewear.

A police officer activated cruiser lights and a siren directing Tejada to pull over, police said. Instead, Tejada allegedly sped off and crossed over a double yellow line into oncoming traffic. He entered the Shaw’s Plaza through the exit lane, police said.

Police caught up to Tejada’s moped in the parking lot and ordered him to stop. Tejada allegedly jumped a curb on his moped to get out of the parking lot and drove on the nearby railroad bed. He turned left heading toward Interstate 93 on the wrong side of the road, police said.

Police lost sight of Tejada, but a short time later, other cruisers in the area spotted him southbound on Route 28, police said.

Officers followed him onto Cluff Crossing Road and into the Brook Village West Apartments, police said.

Tejada went off the paved parking lot and darted in front of a cruiser.

That’s when Tejada allegedly caused a minor collision between two police cruisers, according to police.

One officer had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting Tejada. A second cruiser following the officer rear-ended him, Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten said.

Tejada then drove into some brush and crashed at low speed, police said. He allegedly refused to cooperate.

Police used a Taser on Tejada because he resisted being taken into custody, police said.

He was booked at the police station and later released on $2,000 cash bail pending arraignment in 10th Circuit Court in Salem.

An investigation into the incident is still pending, police said, because the moped is believed to be stolen out of Epping.

Tejada is facing charges of disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, reckless operation, misuse of plates and driving after suspension.