MA Man Arrested After Police Chase Across Three States

RHODE ISLAND — A police chase that started in Massachusetts early Wednesday afternoon spilled over into Rhode Island before the vehicle was eventually stopped in Connecticut, Massachusetts State Police said. The driver was later identified as Ian Grant, 36, of Massachusetts.

The chase started around 11:30 a.m. on Route 195 in Westport, near Route 88. Grant was a suspect in an arson earlier Wednesday morning, Rhode Island State Police said, and believed to be suicidal and have a gun.

Grant fled the scene in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck following an officer-involved shooting, RISP said. He eventually crossed the state line, where Rhode Island State Police and other departments joined the chase.

Rhode Island State Police officers spotted the truck heading west at the Newport Pell Bridge toll plaza just after noon and tried to pull it over. Grant refused to stop, police said, eventually making it to Route 1 South. The chase then continued into South Kingstown, Charlestown and Westerly. He held what appeared to be an assault-style rifle out the window at times, police said.

By 1 p.m., Grant was headed down Route 78 West, headed towards Connecticut, Massachusetts State Police said. He eventually lost control of the truck on Norwich-Westerly Road in North Stonington, Connecticut, going off the road.

Police set up a perimeter in the area, asking the public to keep their distance, since the man was believed to be armed and dangerous. Grant was eventually arrested and held by Connecticut State Police, RISP said.