SPRINGFIELD - A 23-year old city man was arrested early Tuesday after leading police on a chase through Old Hill and Six Corners in a stolen minivan, police said.

Joseph Watkins of 120 Stafford St., Apt. F1, was arrested and charged with seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, driving with a suspended license, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

Another suspect who was in a passenger in the van manage to flee on foot, said Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet.

Delaney said officers Daniel Billingsly and Matthew Benoit were on patrol in the area of Union and Maple streets when they spotted a Dodge Caravan that had been reported stolen in Holyoke, Delaney said.

When they tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off toward Mason Square with several police cars in pursuit. The chase continued circled back through Old Hill and back to Six Corners, Delaney said.

At one point, officers observed someone in the van tossing out the window an object that appeared to look like a handgun, but police later determined it was a pellet gun, Delaney said.

The van eventually stopped on Ashley Street and the two occupants fled on foot. Watkins was apprehended a short time later but the other suspect managed to evade capture, Delaney said.