Hot pursuit up from Londonderry ends with arrest of Laconia bypass

The hot police pursuit of a Londonderry man ended on the Laconia bypass yesterday afternoon as state troopers and Belknap County Sheriff's officers, as well as Belmont and Gilford police officers, surrounded a pickup truck and broke windows on either side of the vehicle to gain access and arrest their man. A spike strip that was placed across the bypass by sheriff department personnel ripped up the two front tires of the truck and brought the ride of Peter Watson, 47, to an end at about 4:30 p.m.

Watson was originally sought at his home with a felony arrest warrant charging him with reckless conduct. He now faces numerous additional charges, including resisting arrest, assault of a police officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, reckless conduct and disobeying a police officer.

After his arrest, Watson was turned over to the Londonderry Police Department.

According to a State Police Sergeant Ian Berkeley (Troop D), Londonderry police went to Watson's home earlier in the day with their warrant. Watson is said to have fled the scene in his Ford Ranger pickup truck.

Watson refused to stop for troopers who later spotted him and a northbound chase began. Police pursued Watson as he drove up Rte. 106, headed for Laconia, but backed off in the face of heavily increasing traffic. Watson apparently turned north when he reached the bypass and found the spike mat waiting for him.

Once the vehicle was surrounded, Berkeley said negotiations ensued between police and Watson that lasted for a half-hour. Police had been informed that Watson might have a gun with him in the truck and he reportedly refused to either exit the truck or show that his hands were empty.

It was ultimately determined that Watson was not armed, but windows still had to be broken to gain access to the cab and he is said to have resisted when police reached in for him. As a result of Watson's continued resistance, Berkeley said, Taser guns were used to subdue him with a electrical charge.