Kingston Police’s wild, 50-mile pursuit: ‘We’ll chase you until your wheels fall off — literally’
The Kingston Police Department pursued alleged thieves for nearly 50 miles in what was reportedly an action-packed pursuit.
“Let this serve as notice to anyone who considers committing crimes like these in our town. Don’t risk it. Not in Kingston. We’ll chase you until your wheels fall off — literally,” the PD wrote in a Facebook post.
It all happened when a woman called police a little after 3 a.m. to report that multiple people were “actively” stealing her jet ski and haul trailer. Responding police saw the suspect’s dark pickup trick — which was reported stolen itself from Rhode Island — fleeing the area with the jet ski on a trailer and a pursuit ensued.
Local police followed the vehicle down Main Street, numerous state highways and onto Interstate 195 West toward downtown New Bedford as they called in support from the Massachusetts State Police, who deployed “stop sticks” on the roadway that punctured the truck’s tires.
The vehicle then traveled on its rims alone at speeds greater than 90 mph, the police say, with debris flying in its wake and smashing up a pursuing Kingston PD cruiser, “spraying the officer with shattered glass.” Nevertheless, the officer continued the pursuit for 47 miles — even after the stolen jet ski and trailer flew off the truck.
The pickup truck crashed in New Bedford and caught on fire as three suspects fled on foot, the police say. One of them fled into opposing traffic on the interstate, but officers brought him to the ground and handcuffed him.
The arrested suspect is identified as Livan Sarit, 21, of Providence, Rhode Island.
“Unfortunately for the remaining suspects, plenty of physical and digital evidence was recovered during the incident and the investigation into their whereabouts remains on-going,” a Kingston Police spokesperson wrote. “We are confident it won’t be long until several warrants are issued in this case (sleep well tonight gentlemen, we’ll see you soon – and don’t worry, we extradite from Rhode Island).”
