Police: Suspect Tased; Leads Salem, NH Officer On High Speed Chase, Steals Cruiser
SALEM, NH (CBS) - A 52-year-old man is expected to face a number of charges after a wild police chase that included the theft of a Salem, New Hampshire police car.
Police say Saturday morning around 12:40 a.m., Salem officer Adam Pearson pulled over a car driven by Robert Zygarowski, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania near Centerville Drive in Salem. There were two other people in the car at the time. Pearson attempted to arrest Zygarowski following an investigation, and a struggle ensued.
Pearson fired his Taser, but Zygarowski managed to knock the Taser prongs off of himself and allegedly attack the officer, jump back in his car and take off. Pearson chased the car through Salem, Haverhill and Lawrence before a blown tire brought it to a stop.
At that point, Pearson attempted to detain the three people in the car until backup officers could arrive. But police say Zygarowski jumped out of the car, charged at him, and managed to steal the police cruiser.
Officers found the cruiser a short distance away on Merrimack View Court with no damage. A search led police to Ted's Mobil on Route 28 in Methuen, where the clerk told officers that a man who said he had weapons was threatening that he was going to shoot the police. The suspect was also spotted walking through a nearby IHOP restaurant before officers caught up him walking along the rail trail near 265 South Broadway. He was arrested after a brief struggle.
The two other people who were in the car with Zygarowski were not charged. Police say they were cooperative, and that one told officers he repeatedly asked to be let out of the vehicle.
Pearson suffered minor injuries and was treated and released form Parkland medical Center.
Zygarowski is charged with two counts of simple assault, two counts of resisting arrest, reckless operation, disobeying an officer, criminal restraint. Officers say he also will likely be charged with theft of a police cruiser. He refused bail.
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