Windsor man arrested in Springfield following police pursuit

A Windsor man classified as a “person of interest” in a carjacking Friday night in Claremont was apprehended early Monday morning following a police pursuit that started in Claremont and ended in Springfield, Vermont.


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2017-04-11 / Front Page Print article Print Windsor man arrested following police pursuit Suspect a 'person of interest' in Claremont Walmart carjacking By CAMERON PAQUETTE cameronp@eagletimes.com Wayne Keough — COURTESY OF VERMONT STATE POLICE Wayne Keough — COURTESY OF VERMONT STATE POLICE SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — A Windsor man classified as a “person of interest” in a carjacking Friday night in Claremont was apprehended early Monday morning following a police pursuit that started in Claremont and ended in Springfield, Vermont. According to Vermont State Police, 39-year-old Wayne Keough hit speeds of up to 120 miles per hour during the pursuit, which started in Claremont before heading west into Weathersfield and down Interstate 91 into Springfield, ending in a crash. Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase said the pursuit started in the area of Mulberry Street around 3:30 a.m. when an officer on patrol recognized the driver of a 1999 Jeep Cherokee as Keough, who had an active warrant for his arrest out of Vermont. The officer initiated the pursuit, which initially went toward the center of town before heading west on Main Street toward Weathersfield. Chase said the suspect is a “person of interest” in the investigation of a carjacking that took place at the Claremont Walmart around 11 p.m. Friday night. In that incident, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim, a Walmart employee who was leaving the store, took their keys and drove away in their vehicle. Police later recovered the stolen vehicle. The suspect in that incident is described as a white man with dark short hair, a goatee, and a dark-colored sweatshirt. “We’re following up on that possible lead,” Chase said. Claremont police called off the pursuit close to the Vermont border due to speed. There was no property damage in New Hampshire as a result of the pursuit. “We were in communications with Vermont authorities” prior to ending the pursuit, Chase said. The pursuit continued at 3:43 a.m. when a Vermont State Police trooper on Route 12 in Weathersfield located the suspect and attempted to stop him. The chase continued down I-91, with speeds reaching 120 miles per hour at times, according to state police. The vehicle left I-91 and continued into the town of Springfield, eventually crashing. According to police, Keough fought with troopers, who had to use tasers. Keough was taken to Springfield Hospital for an evaluation before being arrested and transported to Southern State Correctional Facility, where he is currently lodged on $1,000 bail. Keough has a hearing scheduled in Windsor County District Court on Tuesday at 1 p.m. for the charges of driving under the influence, gross negligent operation, attempting to elude, resisting arrest, and driving with a suspended license. Keough had been placed on escape from furlough on March 9. According to Chase, warrants have been submitted to the state of Vermont for Keough's arrest for felony charges of robbery and reckless conduct. "Mr. Keough has a number of charges in Vermont at this time where he is being held and it is the intention of the state of New Hampshire that when Keough has completed his sentence that he be held and returned to the state of New Hampshire to answer to these charges and any other that are filed against him," Chase said in an official statement