The chase began when Simone, 50, refused to stop for local police in Holden, Massachusetts.
Advertisement
The brief incident, filmed by a helicopter overhead, has prompted reviews by law enforcement officials in both states, including a criminal probe in New Hampshire, and two officers involved have been relieved of duty.
The police pursuit began around 4 p.m. Wednesday in Holden, Massachusetts.
Richard Simone of Worcester is arraigned in the circuit court division in Nashua Thursday following a high-speed police pursuit from MA to New Hampshire on Wednesday.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker called the video “incredibly disturbing”.
Massachusetts State Police Colonel McKeon issued the following statement regarding the pursuit and arrest of Richard Simone on Wednesday.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Strelzin says “our office is going to be conducting a criminal investigation to determine what force was used, by whom, and whether it was appropriate under the law”.
In New Hampshire, Col. Robert Quinn told reporters Thursday that his New Hampshire state trooper isn’t being paid.
Two state police troopers, one from MA and one from New Hampshire, have been relieved of duty following a video broadcast of officers punching a Worcester man who led police on a high-speed chase through MA and into New Hampshire on Wednesday.
The suspect seen in the video, Richard Simone of Worcester, Mass., is brought in to be arraigned at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Nashua, N.H., on Thursday. Simone didn’t appear to have any bruises, but his mug shot showed blood on his left ear.
Simone, who remained in New Hampshire police custody Friday, has agreed to be taken back to MA to face outstanding warrants that include assault with a deadly weapon and larceny. Simone received medical treatment after his arrest.
‘The pursuit, like all pursuits that involve Massachusetts State Police, will be reviewed by the department’s pursuit committee. Police ended the chase on Interstate 290 “due to safety reasons based upon his speed”, Rush-Kittle said.
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said in a statement that the video “raises serious concerns” and she has spoken with the New Hampshire attorney general and commisioner of safety about it.
The complaint says Simone had warrants out of Worcester and Millbury, Massachusetts, on larceny and assault with a risky weapon. Police said they attempted to arrest him Wednesday afternoon in MA on outstanding warrants.
But spike strips laid out by police eventually took their toll.
“Its tires, they just were exploded”, witness Monty Hays told WMUR-TV. During the chase, Simone crossed into New Hampshire. ‘They were on rims.
The use of excessive force by law enforcement has become the focus of national debates, particularly in light of the high-profile killings of African-Americans by mainly white officers over the last several years. The driver stepped from the truck, got onto the ground and was on all fours and lowering himself when the officers moved in.
Advertisement
At least six other officers, some with weapons drawn, circled Simone, who’d allegedly threatened to ram his truck into a police cruiser in Millbury, Massachusetts, on Sunday, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported.
