WEST BARNSTABLE – One person is in custody after reportedly leading several police agencies on a chase late Tuesday afternoon. Details are sketchy but the chase came to an end on Route 6 westbound near the weigh station between exits 5 and 4. An ambulance was requested to the scene to evaluate the suspect who was reportedly tased by police.
Update: Eastham Police report that On Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at approximately 4pm, they received a report of a suspicious individual that was parked in front of an Eastham business. The individual was reportedly dropping trash and other belongings out of the vehicle onto the ground. While responding to this call, Officer Rick Pellegrino observed a vehicle traveling south on Route 6 that fit the description of the vehicle given by the caller. Officer Pellegrino activated his cruiser’s emergency lights on Route 6 in the area of Cj’s Garage and attempted to stop the vehicle for questioning. At this time the operator, later identified as Nathan Burke, 36, of East Andover NH, began throwing items from the vehicle, a black Chevrolet Avalanche, and failed to stop for Officer Pellegrino. Burke continued southbound on Route 6, entered the Orleans Rotary on the wrong side of the road, and aggressively drove his vehicle at an Eastham Police Cruiser, operated by Sergeant Mark Haley, almost striking it. Burke then entered Route 6 westbound and continued driving. Sergeant Haley and Officer Pellegrino pursued the vehicle, which was traveling at, or below, the speed limit the entire time of the incident. During the pursuit, Sergeant Haley requested that “stop sticks” be deployed in an effort to deflate Burke’s tires and stop his vehicle. This was accomplished by the Massachusetts State Police on Route 6 in the area of exit 5. Burke’s vehicle came to a stop near exit 4 where he was taken into custody by State Police. Burke was transported to Cape Cod Hospital for evaluation and is due to be arraigned at the Orleans District Court today. The Eastham Police Department charged Burke with Assault w/ a Dangerous Weapon, Failure to Stop for Police, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to stay within Marked Lanes and Littering. Additional charges were also filed by the Massachusetts State Police.
