The chase went through several towns.
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A MA state trooper has been relieved of duty pending an internal hearing Friday, State Police Col. Richard McKeon said in a statement.
Quinn called the video disturbing and said he suspended one of his troopers without pay and stripped him all law enforcement authority.
“I share concern that everybody has when they watch that footage. but what is also really important is that a thorough complete investigation take place”, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said.
Massachusetts State police cruisers soon joined in.
At least two unidentified officers from different agencies punched Richard Simone repeatedly after Simone exited the pickup truck and appeared to be surrendering.
The state Attorney General’s office will conduct an investigation into the incident, according to New Hampshire State Police Director Col. Robert L.
Simone was arraigned in Nashua on a fugitive-from-justice violation and MA authorities are expected to seek his return. He was wearing a Boston Red Sox T-shirt and shorts.
What seemed like three stitches and dried blood in his left ear and a red mark near his eye were the only signs of possible injury.
Richard Simone was wanted for outstanding warrants. The officers who were assaulting this man seemed totally clueless that a news helicopter was hovering over their heads while they pummeled the suspect.
Police say they tried to get the 50-year-old to pull over, but he evaded them with erratic turns.
“The Massachusetts State Police expect and demand all department members to act at all times with integrity, honor, and adherence to the law”. A press officer for the state police in New Hampshire directed questions about the apprehension to the state’s attorney general’s office, which could not be reached Wednesday evening.
In court Thursday morning in Nashua, Simone opted to waive his extradition hearing in New Hampshire.
It wasn’t immediately known whether local or state police were involved, or a combination.
“This review will investigate whether the level of force used was appropriate given the totality of the circumstances”, Procopio said. We will monitor the attorney general’s investigation and will review whatever evidence it uncovers as part of our Internal Affairs investigation.
The driver, Richard Simone, was arrested after he got out of his pickup truck, kneeled down and put his hands on the ground. Simone fled because he has several warrants, police said.
The Massachusetts State Police is conducting a review into “the actions of our personnel who were present at the arrest”, McKeon said Thursday, as well as a review into the chase itself to see whether the troopers involved followed the agency’s policies regarding pursuits.
The pursuit lasted about an hour, ending about 50 miles northeast of where it began. In Nashua, where the chase ended in a residential neighborhood, witnesses said the truck was moving slowly.
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Court documents state that Simone was taken into custody Wednesday by Sgt. Clark Gaphardt of the Nashua Police Department.
