Merrimac Police Department
Eric M. Shears, Chief of Police
16 East Main St.
Merrimac, MA 01860
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Merrimac Police Arrest New Hampshire Man Wanted on Felony Drug Warrants out of Boston and Woburn
Salisbury Police K-9 Aids in Pursuit through Wooded Area
MERRIMAC — Police Chief Eric M. Shears reports that the Merrimac Police Department last night arrested a wanted felon after a pursuit through a wooded area.
JASON THOMPSON, AGE 38, OF NEWTON, N.H. was arrested last night after Merrimac Police Officer Robert Coppola, on a routine patrol, ran the license plate of a Jeep Grand Cherokee with New Hampshire plates that came back to THOMPSON who had several felony arrest warrants outstanding.
The car parked in a driveway on Bear Hill Road. The officer turned back to investigate and found a man standing outside of the vehicle. The man said that his brother, identified as THOMPSON had been driving the vehicle, and he had parked in the driveway and ran off when he saw the police cruiser. The man did not know whose driveway they had parked in.
Officer Coppola called for backup, and an Amesbury officer and the Salisbury K-9 unit arrived shortly thereafter. The Amesbury officer stayed with the other man while Officer Coppola and Salisbury K-9 began to search for THOMPSON.
K-9 “Herc” quickly tracked the suspect to a large pine tree in the woods off the road. As Herc barked loudly, the officers heard rustling above, and THOMPSON fell out of the tree and onto the ground. The officers yelled for him to stay where he was, but the suspect unwisely tried to outrun Herc and was quickly apprehended by him.
THOMPSON was treated by Merrimac Fire Department EMTs but refused additional medical treatment.
THOMPSON had five arrest warrants:
- Possession of Class A and C Drugs (Boston)
- Receiving Stolen Property (Motor Vehicle) and Possession of Class C and E Drugs (Boston)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License and Marked Lanes Violations (Reading Police/Woburn District Court)
- Larceny over $250 and Trespassing (Reading Police/Woburn District Court)
- Operator of a Motor Vehicle Refusing to Identify Self, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License (Natick Police/Natick District Court)
In addition, Merrimac Police are charging THOMPSON with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct.
THOMPSON was held without bail at Middleton House of Corrections last night.
Chief Shears commended the vigilance of his officer and wishes to thank the Amesbury and Salisbury Police Departments for their vital assistance in apprehending the suspect.
“No matter how safe and tranquil a community is, sometimes the crime comes to you, and that is just what happened on Monday,” Chief Shears said. “The training and preparation of our officers and the partnerships we have forged with our neighbors resulted in safely removing a wanted fugitive from our community. It was an excellent all-around effort.”
Salisbury Police Chief Thomas Fowler added, “I am pleased that we could assist Merrimac in getting this dangerous felon off the streets. Our K-9 program has once again proven to be successful, and this is another excellent example of how well the area Towns work together and share resources.”
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