Excessive Force? Criminal Probe Launched in Nashua Chase Suspect's Violent Arrest

NASHUA, NH — A criminal investigation has been launched in the wake of videos that show police officers beating a chase suspect in Nashua Wednesday.

The suspect, Richard Simone, 50, of Worcester, Mass., led police on an hours-long, multi-state chase Wednesday afternoon. At one point, he struck a utility pole but continued on, police said. Media helicopters followed the chase.

Simone stopped his vehicle in Nashua on Hutchinson Street and exited, put his hands up, and lowered himself to the ground. An officer charges the suspect and throws a punch. Another officer throws more punches as Simone is wrestled to the ground.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's office launched a probe into the incident, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said in a statement Thursday.

"The footage from yesterday raises serious concerns," Hassan said in a statement. "All New Hampshire public safety officials are held to the highest standards, and it is important and appropriate that the Attorney General's office has opened an investigation into the incident.

"We must treat this incident with the utmost seriousness without disparaging all of the hard-working police officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe."

Mass. State Police also launched an investigation into the arrest.

"The video captured by news helicopters shows a use of force against the suspect," said Mass. State Police spokesman Dave Procopio in a statement. "That review will investigate whether the level of force used was appropriate given the totality of the circumstances."

The chase started in Holden, Mass., when police said Simone, who has several warrants, failed to stop for officers.

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