South Hadley man arrested after police chase involving 4 departments

South Hadley Police  04-12-2023

South Hadley Police 04-12-2023

By Staff Report

Published: 07-25-2024 5:33 PM

SOUTH HADLEY — A 25-year-old South Hadley man who threatened suicide, before leading South Hadley, Granby, Hadley and State Police on a vehicle pursuit from the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School campus to Route 9 in Hadley Thursday afternoon, is in custody, according to South Hadley Police.

A press release from South Hadley Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen, posted to the department’s Facebook page, states that at about 1:50 p.m., police took a 911 call from the man, who was tracked to the charter school’s Mulligan Drive campus. There, he was threatening to kill himself or die by police, and also said that if officers approached, he would shoot them.

At the school, a responding police sergeant observed the man in an agitated state, both inside and outside his vehicle. Then, remaining a safe distance away from the man, other officers set up a perimeter around the school, which, while not in session, was placed in a lockdown due to administrators being inside.

Shortly after the perimeter was established, the man returned to his vehicle, drove at a cruiser and fled, leading police on a chase onto Route 9 in Hadley, where the vehicle struck two other vehicles before coming to a stop in traffic. The man exited the vehicle, with South Hadley officers then going after him on foot and arresting him a short distance away.

There were no injuries to any other drivers, officers or the man, who is not believed to have any affiliation with the performing arts school, Gundersen said.

“I am grateful for the quick and professional response of the South Hadley Police officers, South Hadley Police dispatchers, Granby Police, State Police and Hadley Police, who provided assistance for this incident to conclude without harm to any member of the community,” Gundersen said. “I commend their skilled response in this dangerous encounter.”

This incident remains under investigation.

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