Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS An Amherst police officer describes Friday's pursuit to a Nashua officer after the driver was taken into custody at Hayward's Ice Cream in Nashua. Amherst police haven't released any information on the incident.

NASHUA – The driver arrested after allegedly leading police on a three-town pursuit that ended in Nashua Friday afternoon is facing four charges, with the possibility of more to come, Amherst Police Chief Mark Reams said.

Mark R. Cavanaugh, 51, of Nashua, faces one count each of conduct after an accident, resisting arrest, disobeying a police officer, and reckless operation, Reams said Monday.

All the charges are believed to be misdemeanors. Reams said that the investigation is continuing, and further charges may follow.

Cavanaugh was taken into custody without incident in the parking lot of Hayward’s Ice Cream around 2 p.m. Friday. Two Amherst officers blocked in Cavanaugh’s SUV with their cruisers after he turned into the parking lot from Robinson Road.

Reams said Cavanaugh was transported to police headquarters, where he was booked on the charges. He was subsequently issued court summonses and released pending the investigation.

Amherst officers initially attempted to stop Cavanaugh after observing his vehicle allegedly being driven erratically on Boston Post Road, Reams said.

“The driver, whom the officers suspected may be impaired, refused to stop,” according to Reams, who added that officers followed him through South Merrimack and into Nashua.

“At one point the SUV struck a curb and blew out the right front tire. The driver continued to drive on the damaged wheel, and later turned into the Peters Honda dealership parking lot, where he (allegedly) sideswiped a parked vehicle,” Reams said.

The driver later identified as Cavanaugh got on the Everett Turnpike headed south, then got off at Exit 5, Reams said. He then “traveled along back roads, until eventually pulling into Hayward’s Ice Cream parking lot,” Reams added.

Nashua units had been informed of the pursuit, but according to earlier reports they hung back and did not join the pursuit. When they learned Amherst had stopped the vehicle at Hayward’s, Nashua officers continued to that location to offer assistance to the Amherst officers.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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