Rhode Island Man Arrested After High Speed Chase Through Sharon

A Lincoln, R.I. man was taken into custody Friday night after a motorcycle chase across town.

Matthew Clark, 21, was arrested by Sharon police and charged with failure to stop for a police officer, operating to endanger, speeding, marked lanes violations, failure to obey a traffic Signal, and other charges pending further investigation.

At 9:23 p.m. Friday, Officer Phil McEnany was parked at Heights Elementary School when he heard a motorcycle traveling outbound on South Main Street towards Walpole Street at a very high rate of speed. After seeing the motorcycle come through the intersection, McEnany observed Clark slow down for another car in front of him in the outbound travel lane. Another car that was traveling inbound on South Main Street passed by and as soon as the inbound car passed by, the motorcycle crossed over the double yellow line and passed the outbound car, accelerating to a speed estimated to be 60-65 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone.

Clark was observed by police illegally passing another eight to 10 cars on South Main Street before entering the parking lot at Shaws Plaza. Upon seeing the police cruiser, Clark left the lot and returned to South Main Street, driving inbound at approximately 80 miles per hour.

Despite McEnany activating his siren, the motorcycle continued to go into the oncoming lane of traffic as he passed another 10-15 vehicles, ran through a red light at South Main and Walpole Streets, and increased his speed to 115-120 miles per hour.

Due to the speed, McEnany called off the chase but continued to follow Clark as he passed another 20-25 cars while driving towards Cobbs Corner.

Upon approaching Cobbs Corner, McEnany saw the motorcycle turn into a parking lot at 450 North Main Street. According to police, the parking lot appears to access a larger parking lot to a plaza in Canton but a fence in the rear of the lot prohibits vehicle passage into the Washington Street lot. Police were able to block in the motorcycle Clark was taken into custody with assistance from Sharon Officers Kraus, Greenfield, Lieutenant Brewer, and Detective Bishop.

Clark was later bailed and will be arraigned Monday morning at Stoughton District Court.

Photo Credit: Sharon Police