NASHUA, NH — Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announced that his office has begun a criminal investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding yesterday’s arrest of Richard Simone, Jr., 50, in Nashua to determine if the force utilized by any of the police officers violated any provisions of the criminal code.
Colonel Robert Quinn of the New Hampshire State Police, Colonel Richard McKeon of the Massachusetts State Police and Chief Andrew Lavoie of the Nashua Police Department have assured their agencies’ fullest cooperation with the investigation.
Simone was wanted on several felony warrants for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny and failure to stop for police when he again, failed to stop for police in Holden, Massachusetts. Instead Simone led police on an hour long chase, hitting a speed of 100mph while weaving through several towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including Concord, Littleton, Chelmsford, Billerica, Nashua and Hudson. Simone finally stopped when two of his tires blew out on Hughey Street, a dead end street in Nashua.
News helicopters following the chase questioned whether officers used excessive force when arresting Simone. He can be seen exiting his truck, with has his hands up and attempting to lie on his stomach, when several officers approach with their guns drawn and jump on him, hitting him several times. He appears to be surrendering, while officers continue to strike him. Simone was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. See the see the news helicopter video of the chase here. Simone is being held without bail.
As a result of the incident, police officers from New Hampshire and Massachusetts have been relieved from duty. The Attorney General’s office stated in a press release that in an effort to protect the investigation, the names of the officers involved in the incident will not be released at this time. Once the investigation has reached a point where the release of the names would not impact the integrity of the investigation, a further press release with the names will be issued.
The attorney general’s office has asked that any person who witnessed the incident involving Simone or any person who has video or photographs of the incident is asked to contact Investigators Richard Tracy or Todd Flanagan of the Attorney General at (603) 271-3671.
