Massachusetts State Police

Suspect, Believed Armed, Flees Police, Sets Off Chase Through MA, RI and CT

The suspect was stopped on Route 78 in North Stonington, Connecticut, according to Massachusetts State Police

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A reportedly armed suspect who fled Massachusetts State Police led troopers through Rhode Island and was taken into custody in Connecticut, police said Wednesday.

Ian Grant, 36, of Dartmouth, will face charges in multiple states after the chase Wednesday, which involved troopers from all three state police agencies, including tactical units.

Massachusetts State Police said the Grant was wanted on an outstanding warrant on assault and intimidation charges out of New Bedford. When New Bedford officers tried to stop his vehicle, he reportedly fled toward Route 195, where Massachusetts State Police became involved in the chase.

According to Massachusetts State Police, Grant drove at officers who were trying to stop his vehicle on 195 in Westport, Massachusetts, prompting at least one trooper to fire their weapon. Grant reportedly continued driving, hitting police cruisers as he fled the wrong way down the highway.

Troopers did not immediately follow Grant as he drove the wrong way, but issued a BOLO and started a search that included State Police patrols and K9 units, and a helicopter from the Department’s Air Wing.

Grant's vehicle was spotted on Route 1 in Rhode Island, where Rhode Island State Police picked up the chase, following Grant through part of their state and into Connecticut.

Grant was forced into stopping by Connecticut State Police in North Stonington, Connecticut, just over the Rhode Island border, after they used pit maneuvers to force his truck into the woods, according to Connecticut State Police.

That agency said a Rhode Island State Police tactical team negotiated with Grant to get him out of the vehicle, at one point deploying pepper spray and tear gas.

Grant was eventually taken into custody by Connecticut State Police. He is being held as a fugitive from justice and charges including reckless driving are pending in Connecticut. Police believe there are multiple weapons in his truck, but are awaiting a search warrant for confirmation.

Grant is also wanted in connection with an investigation in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, after a fire at his home on Prospect Street Wednesday morning.

There will be an investigation into the use of force by the Massachusetts State trooper or troopers who fired at Grant. The officers involved in that scene were evaluated at a local hospital and released.

Public schools in North Stonington, Conn. were put on a shelter-in-place while the situation unfolded.

More details were not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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