For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Methuen Police Arrest Two after Multi-State Chase

METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department today arrested a man and a woman after a lengthy pursuit that crossed state lines into New Hampshire and back into Massachusetts, resulting in a two motor vehicle crashes involving  police cruisers.

As a result, the driver, CHAD TOMBARELLO, AGE 30, OF LAWRENCE was arrested and charged with:

• Operating to Endanger
• Failing to Stop for a Police Officer
• Speeding
• Marked Lane Violations
• Resisting Arrest
• Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
• Assault and Battery
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License

TOMBARELLO has a lengthy criminal history, including three active arrest warrants in Massachusetts for:

• Receiving Stolen Property (Felony)
• Motor Vehicle Charges and Intimidating a Witness (Felony)
• Assault and Battery, and Threats to Commit a Crime
  Additionally, his passenger, NATASHA JOHNSON, AGE 23, OF HAVERHILL was also arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

At noontime, Methuen Police initiated a pursuit of TOMBARELLO after he failed to stop for an officer near the MSPCA building on Broadway. TOMBARELLO then began driving on the wrong side of the roadway into traffic, proceeding back across Broadway onto Route 213 westbound.

TOMBARELLO proceeded to head north on Interstate 93. Once he crossed the New Hampshire state line, New Hampshire State Police took over the pursuit. Salem, N.H. police joined when TOMBARELLO exited I-93 in that community. In Salem, he allegedly crashed into a Salem Police Cruiser with intent, allegedly in order to further evade police.

After proceeding to Route 97, TOMBARELLO re-crossed the state line, entering Massachusetts. TOMBARELLO continued into Methuen, then Haverhill, ramming into a N.H. State Police cruiser at a high rate of speed. As a result of this second crash, the suspect’s vehicle could not continue.

TOMBARELLO then fled on foot. Methuen Police were able to arrest the suspect with the assistance of Salem, N.H. officers and the New Hampshire State Police a short distance from the crash.

The passenger, JOHNSON, also fled from the vehicle, and was located and arrested near the scene.

“I’d like to thank both the Salem Police Department and New Hampshire State Police for their assistance in today’s pursuit,” Chief Solomon said. “I am proud of how professionally our officers acted while facing such a complex situation.”

The suspects were held pending arraignment.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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