LEICESTER — A Worcester man was taken into custody Thursday after a road rage incident that led to a motor vehicle crash and a subsequent manhunt involving multiple police departments and K9 units.
Leicester Police officers responded to the 400 block of Pine Street around 4:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a red Ford Escape SUV causing several vehicles to veer off the road before crashing into a utility pole.
The male driver fled the scene on foot, prompting an immediate search.
Authorities had been on alert for the vehicle following a BOLO issued by the Charlton Police Department after it was reported stolen.
Leicester Police, alongside officers from Charlton, Spencer, and the Massachusetts State Police, established a perimeter and deployed K9 units and a drone to locate the suspect.
The combined efforts led to the discovery of the 22-year-old man hiding behind a boulder in a nearby wooded area by Leicester K9 Cooney and a Spencer Police officer.
The suspect was apprehended without incident and is set to face charges for offenses in Charlton as well as additional charges in East Brookfield District Court.
Local law enforcement has been praised for their efficient and restrained response, which ensured public safety and led to a peaceful resolution.
Special recognition was given to the K9 teams and the Charlton PD Drone Unit for their roles in the operation.
