News

Police: Weare man arrested after 25-mile pursuit

By Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
ROCKINGHAM, Vt. — An attempt by Vermont State Police to conduct a routine traffic stop on Interstate 91 early Wednesday morning resulted in a nearly 25-mile long pursuit involving numerous municipal police departments along the way.

Vermont State Troopers with the Westminster Barracks attempted to stop a silver BMW sedan on I-91 North in Rockingham at 12:13 a.m. for speeding and traffic violations, specifically tied to the inability to remain in marked lanes, according to a news release from Vermont State Police.

The driver of the vehicle, Benjamin Ecklund, 37, of Weare, New Hampshire, didn’t stop after troopers signaled him through the use of lights and sirens, according to police. Troopers then initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which maintained speeds of approximately 70 mph, due to “concerns of impaired driving” near mile marker 35.

For about 25 miles, state troopers pursued Ecklund and called upon fellow police departments to assist. Officers with the Windsor Police Department deployed “tire deflation devices” in the area of exit 9, which punctured three of the BMW sedan’s four tires.

Vermont State Police then boxed in Ecklund’s car as he tried to swerve around them. Ecklund’s maneuvers nearly caused a collision with one of the cruisers, but fortunately the pursuit was brought to an end before that could happen, according to the press release.

Ecklund was eventually arrested and charged with driving under the influence, negligent operation, aggravated driving without the owner’s consent, attempting to elude police and refusing a breath test.

After his arrest, Ecklund was taken to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, where he was held “until sober.”. Ecklund is scheduled to appear in the Windham Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 28, according to the release.

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