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The Latest: 2 troopers relieved of duty after police pursuit

Original Publication Date May 12, 2016 - 6:10 AM

NASHUA, N.H. - The Latest on a high-speed police pursuit from Massachusetts to New Hampshire caught on video that showed police pummeling a suspect who appeared to be surrendering (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Two troopers have been relieved of duty following an arrest caught on video in New Hampshire that showed police pummeling a suspect in a high-speed chase who appeared to be surrendering.

In New Hampshire, Col. Robert Quinn told reporters Thursday that his New Hampshire state trooper isn't being paid. A statement from Massachusetts Col. Richard McKeon says a Massachusetts state trooper has been relieved of duty pending an internal hearing scheduled for Friday.

The two troopers weren't identified.

News helicopter video of the police pursuit from Massachusetts to New Hampshire on Wednesday showed 50-year-old Richard Simone, of Worcester, Massachusetts, stepping slowly out of his truck, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.

Both Quinn and McKeon have called the video disturbing.

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11:20 a.m.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has called the news helicopter video of police appearing to pummel a suspect who had led them on a high-speed chase into New Hampshire "incredibly disturbing."

Baker said Thursday his administration was anxious to work with New Hampshire authorities to investigate the circumstances.

News helicopter video of the police pursuit Wednesday showed 50-year-old Richard Simone, of Worcester, Massachusetts, stepping slowly out of his truck, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.

Baker said he planned to call New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan later Thursday.

Simone was arraigned in Nashua on a fugitive-from-justice violation and Massachusetts authorities are expected to seek his return.

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11 a.m.

A suspect who appears on a news helicopter videotape to be surrendering to police in New Hampshire before officers use force on him has agreed to be taken back to Massachusetts to face charges there.

Richard Simone Jr., of Worcester (WUS'-tur), Massachusetts, was shackled at the waist and ankles as he faced a fugitive-from-justice violation in a Nashua (NASH'-wuh) court. He was wearing a Red Sox T-shirt and shorts.

He did not appear to show any bruises from the encounter with police, although his mug shot did show he had blood on his left ear. Also, his public defender made a reference to his "medical condition" and got approval for Simone to sit in court.

Simone faces warrants out of Worcester and Millbury, Massachusetts, on larceny and assault with a dangerous weapon.

It wasn't immediately known when Simone would be returned to Massachusetts.

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10:15 a.m.

A suspect who appears on a news helicopter videotape to be surrendering to police before officers use force on him is facing a fugitive-from-justice violation in New Hampshire and a return to Massachusetts to face charges there.

A complaint filed Thursday by police charges 50-year-old Richard Simone Jr., of Worcester (WUS'-tur), Massachusetts. Simone faces arraignment in Nashua (NASH'-wuh), New Hampshire.

The complaint says Simone had warrants out of Worcester and Millbury, Massachusetts, on larceny and assault with a dangerous weapon. Massachusetts police are expected to seek Simone's return to their state.

After the video surfaced, the New Hampshire attorney general's office began investigating the use of force by police.

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9:15 a.m.

The New Hampshire attorney general's office is investigating the use of force by police after video surfaced of officers pummeling a man who led them on a chase.

Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Strelzin told WCVB-TV on Wednesday night that the video is "disturbing," but authorities aren't jumping to conclusions and need to find out exactly what happened.

Police say the vehicle chase of Worcester, Massachusetts, resident Richard Simone went through several towns at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

News helicopter video of the pursuit Wednesday showed Simone later stepping slowly out of his truck, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.

It wasn't immediately known whether local or state police were involved, or a combination.

Simone was scheduled to be arraigned in Nashua on Thursday.

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8:30 a.m.

The legal director of the ACLU in New Hampshire says the force used by police on a suspect who appeared to be surrendering following a pursuit was "significant."

Gilles Bissonnette says he expects "there will be a thorough independent investigation to determine whether the force used was reasonable and proportional."

News helicopter video of the pursuit Wednesday showed 50-year-old Richard Simone, of Worcester, Massachusetts, stepping slowly out of his truck in Nashua, New Hampshire, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.

Gov. Maggie Hassan has called for a full investigation.

The chase began when Simone refused to stop for police in Holden, Massachusetts. Simone was scheduled to be arraigned in Nashua on Thursday.

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1:50 a.m.

New Hampshire's governor is calling for a full investigation into the use of force by police after video surfaced of officers appearing to pummel a suspect who had led them on a high-speed chase from Massachusetts to New Hampshire.

News helicopter video of the police pursuit Wednesday showed Richard Simone, of Worcester, Massachusetts, stepping slowly out of his truck, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.

Massachusetts State Police were also involved in the pursuit and plan to review the apprehension of the 50-year-old Simone.

The pursuit lasted about an hour. It ended in Nashua, New Hampshire, about 50 miles northeast of where it began in Holden, Massachusetts.

Simone was taken into custody by Nashua police, who haven't returned phone calls seeking comment. Simone couldn't be for comment while in custody.

News from © The Associated Press, 2016
The Associated Press

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