Two governors are calling an image of officers punching a Worcester man who led police on a high-speed chase through MA and into New Hampshire “disturbing” footage that “raises serious concerns”, as an investigation by the attorney general’s office is underway.
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Richard Simone is arraigned at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Nashua, N.H., Thursday, following a high-speed police pursuit from MA to New Hampshire Wednesday. The driver stepped from the truck, got onto the ground and was on all fours and lowering himself when the officers set upon him, throwing punches.
After turning onto a dead end, Simone surrendered, and video appears to show multiple officers repeatedly punching him.
Richard Simone was wanted for outstanding warrants.
Hassan had already issued a statement Thursday morning, saying that New Hampshire public safety officials are held to the highest standard, and that it is important that the attorney general’s office opened an investigation.
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”. Simone is reportedly being held without bail until he can be transported back to MA, where he faces charges of assault with a unsafe weapon and fleeing from police.
“The events of Wednesday evening are disturbing”, said Robert L Quinn with New Hampshire State Police.
In a closed door hearing duty status Friday, the 32-year-old trooper was ordered suspended with pay while the investigation into the arrest continues.
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.
Lavoie said the Nashua Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation to determine whether all of its policies and procedures regarding vehicle pursuits and use of force were followed during Simone’s arrest.
Simone’s vehicle finally rolled to a stop on a dead-end street in Nashua.
The incident began in Holden, Mass., after officers spotted Simone, who was sought on multiple warrants.
Sources told WBZ-TV that the suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper is Joseph Flynn.
Massachusetts State Police made a similar announcement later, saying, the “actions taken by a trooper from our department and other officers involved in yesterday’s apprehension of suspect Richard Simone in Nashua, N.H. We want this investigated to the fullest extent to show what was excessive force and what was not any excessive force”, the chief said.
After Wednesday’s chase, Simone also faces charges of negligent driving, assault with a risky weapon and failure to stop for police along with four other motor vehicle violations, according to the report. In Nashua, where the chase ended in a residential neighborhood, witnesses said the truck was barely pushing the speed limit.
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Police in Nashua haven’t returned phone calls seeking comment on the chase.
