SANDWICH – A driver reportedly failed to stop for Sandwich Police late Saturday afternoon setting off a pursuit. Sandwich officials called off the chase after the driver got on Route 3 north and reportedly began driving nearly 100 MPH. Minutes later police found the suspect crashed in the median strip north of Exit 2. At least one other vehicle was reportedly struck by the suspect’s vehicle. Following the crash, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. An ambulance was called to check the suspect for minor injuries.
Monday morning, Sandwich Police reported that a 66 year old male party from Fitchburg is answering to multiple charges after leading the Sandwich Police Department on a vehicle pursuit. On July 18, 2020, at approximately 5:21 PM, Sandwich Police received a report of a dangerous erratic operator all over the road. Officers observed the vehicle on Route 130 near the intersection of Quaker Meeting House Rd. While going through the lights the vehicle ran off the roadway and almost collided with another vehicle on Quaker Meeting House Rd. At that point the Officer activated their emergency lights to attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle ran off the road, then jerked back onto the road in a dangerous manner without stopping. The officer continued with their emergency lights and siren activated. The vehicle kept running off the roadway and almost hitting cars. During the attempt to stop, the vehicle intentionally rammed into the side of the police cruiser causing damage to the cruiser. The operation continued through Sandwich and into Bourne on Route 6A. The vehicle traveled onto Route 6 and over the Sagamore Bridge. At this point the vehicle sped up significantly and the Sandwich Police Department terminated following the vehicle. After the attempt to stop was terminated, officers from the Sandwich Police Department observed smoke ahead on Route 3. Sandwich Police Officers observed the vehicle to have struck a tree in the median. The officers observed the operator attempt to flee on foot from the driver’s side of the vehicle. Officers were able to apprehend the individual. The operator was identified as 66-year-old Robert Leonard of Fitchburg. Leonard was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Plymouth for minor injuries.
The Massachusetts State Police, Plymouth Police, Plymouth Fire, Brewster Ambulance, Coastal Ambulance, and Plymouth County CIO assisted at the scene.
Leonard is charged with OUI Liquor 5th Offense, A&B with a Dangerous Weapon to wit Motor Vehicle, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Marked Lanes Violation, Failure to Stop, Speeding, Littering from a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of Property Damage, Operating a Motor Vehicle Wrong Way, Operating a Motor Vehicle on License Suspended for OUI, Failure to Stop for Police, Resisting Arrest, Disguise to Obstruct Justice, Obstructing Emergency Vehicle, Operator of Motor Vehicle Failure to Identify self, Possession of Open Container in MV.
