Kingston Man Charged After Two-State Stolen Car Chase

MERRIMAC, MA – A New Hampshire man was arrested during the weekend after allegedly stealing a car and driving into Massachusetts, attempting to escape Granite State police.

Eric Earle, 20, of Kingston, was arrested on July 2, 2016, and charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, receiving stolen property, three counts of malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and marked lanes violation.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimac Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

At around 6:15 p.m., Bay State police were notified by the Newton Police Department in New Hampshire that they were pursuing a vehicle now hearing into its community.

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“The vehicle, which was reported as stolen, traveled down the wrong lane of the Merrimac rotary, hitting a sign post and continuing on West Main Street,” according to Merrimac Police Chief Eric M. Shears. “After turning onto Littles Court, the driver, later identified as Earle, drove through a chain link gate and crashed into a wooded area.”

Earle allegedly fled the area but was caught by a Salisbury Police officer and his K-9 unit on Grove Street, after Amesbury MA Police, West Newbury MA Police, Newton Police, and Mass. State Police set up a perimeter around Earle.

"We are proud to have apprehended a dangerous and reckless suspect," Chief Shears said. "The holiday weekend requires an urgent sense of caution and safety around our community. We are thankful to the surrounding departments for their assistance tonight."

Earle was held on $2,500 cash bail and will be arraigned this morning.