Plymouth County Police Chase: Suspect Arrested

NEW BEDFORD, MA — An armed New Bedford man led officers on a wild chase through Plymouth County Monday, police said.

Randall Harrison, 50, was eventually arrested in New Bedford; no one was hurt in the chase, which covered 20 miles, according to police.

The incident started at about 1 p.m. in Rochester when police in that town received a report that Harrison was wielding a hatchet and acting "erratically" on Route 105. When an officer approached, Harrison hopped in his sport utility vehicle and fled, police said. Officers gave chase and Harrison drove through Plymouth and Bristol counties, evading several sets of spike strips, police said.

"During the pursuit the suspect was observed by New Bedford officers dousing himself with butane fuel," State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said in a statement. "Also during the pursuit the suspect was waving the hatchet and a knife out the driver’s side window."

The chase reached speeds of 60 mph and a State Police helicopter followed Harrison as the chase ended in New Bedford, where officers took him into custody. He was hospitalized for an evaluation.