Police Arrest City Man After High-Speed Chase

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Monday, December 11, 2006

Williamstown and North Adams police were involved in a police chase that led to the arrest of a city man.

A 24-year-old North Adams man was arrested by Williamstown police yesterday after a high-speed chase along busy roadways.

David W. Jones of South Street was charged with failure to stop for a police officer,speeding, receiving stolen property valued at over $250, and negligent driving.

Williamstown police attempted to stop Jones, who was driving a red mini-van, after Bennington, Vt. police contacted them and requested town officers be on the lookout for the vehicle. According to Bennington police, Jones was suspected in a theft from a Bennington store.

At about 2:08 p.m., police Sgt. Scott McGowan saw a red mini-van headed southbound on Simonds Road. When he attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly accelerated to a high rate of speed and began passing other vehicle traffic.

McGowan pursued the mini-van along Route 7, through the Field Park intersection and eastbound along Route 2 toward North Adams.

North Adams police were contacted and their assistance was requested by town police.

McGowan halted chase on Route 2 because of the high pursuit speeds and risks to other drivers on the roadway, police said. Jones was also allegedly driving in a dangerous manner, police said.

Town officers did travel to North Adams at decreased speeds to be certain that the mini-van had not caused an accident or been abandoned in favor of a foot evasion. As preparation for that possibility, officers called town officer Michael Ziemba and his trained tracking dog "Blue" into service.

Jones was arrested in the State Road area near the Brayton school after several citizens contacted city and town police and shared information about his whereabouts, police said.

Jones was released for arraignment at the Northern Berkshire District Court on the charges filed by Williamstown police, and may face additional charges in Bennington.

Police said that they greatly appreciate the citizen assistance delivered in the arrest of Jones.

Members of the Berkshire County Drug Task Force assisted with the arrest.