LITCHFIELD — A Raymond man was arrested Wednesday following a multi-jurisdictional police pursuit that involved damaged police vehicles, a foot chase, and a temporary school lockdown.
Nicholas Maynard, 31, was apprehended after leading officers on a chase that began in Hudson and continued through residential areas of Litchfield.
The incident began at approximately 10:02 a.m. when Litchfield officers responded to a request for assistance from Hudson Police regarding an active vehicle pursuit crossing into their jurisdiction.
A Litchfield officer encountered Maynard’s vehicle near Charles Bancroft Highway and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to comply.
Police say Maynard drove recklessly, passing vehicles, swerving into oncoming traffic, and attempting to strike a southbound vehicle.
Officers lost visual contact with the suspect in residential neighborhoods and temporarily terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.
A witness later reported seeing the suspect vehicle on Grove Street, which led to a second pursuit through more residential areas onto Sybil Lane.
During the chase, Maynard allegedly attempted to strike a police cruiser in a private driveway before colliding with a Litchfield police vehicle as he fled back onto Charles Bancroft Highway.
The pursuit continued north until Maynard drove onto the property of Mel’s Funway Park, through a wooded area, and broke through an emergency access gate to escape.
Authorities later located the significantly damaged suspect vehicle behind LKQ Auto Parts, but Maynard had fled on foot.
A coordinated search was launched with assistance from Hudson Police, New Hampshire State Police, Merrimack Police, Manchester Police, Londonderry Police, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, including K-9 units and drone surveillance.
Police received a tip from Romano’s Pizza about a man matching Maynard’s description inside the establishment, but the suspect fled before officers arrived.
Following a brief foot chase, officers apprehended Maynard.
As a precaution during the search, area schools were placed on lockdown and nearby residents were issued a temporary shelter-in-place order, which was lifted after the suspect was in custody.
Maynard is scheduled for arraignment at Merrimack District Court on May 8.
