Full Notification

Press Release:
At approximately 1:35 pm on Friday May 17, 2013 Officers of the Topsfield Police Department received a report of a police pursuit from the Town of Boxford leading into the Town of Topsfield. A Boxford police officer was attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle that allegedly attempted to impact his cruiser head on. Topsfield officers Sgt. Richard LeBel and Officer Shawn Frost attempted to deploy Stop Sticks (a device used to deflate tires of the vehicle) as the vehicle approached on Washington Street but the suspect passed by before deployment could be made.
The suspect’s vehicle continued on Washington Street turning on to Surrey Lane and ultimately Thompson Lane which is a dead end cul-de-sac. The officers blocked the suspects exit. In an attempt to flee, the suspect crashed head on into Sgt. LeBel’s SUV cruiser causing extensive damage and air bag deployment. The suspect’s vehicle was also damaged and unable to move from the collision. At that point the suspect exited his vehicle and started to run. Although shaken up from the collision and air bag deployment Sgt. LeBel was able to exit his cruiser and apprehend the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Michael Klein, age 24, of West Wareham, Ma. Topsfield charges are pending including Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon as well as additional motor vehicle offenses. He was turned over to Boxford Police for processing.
Sgt. LeBel was transported to Beverly Hospital for injuries sustained in the accident and was later released.
The case remains under investigation.