Police Use ‘Stop Sticks’ to End Chase of PA Burglary Suspect

Andover Police first began following a Newburyport man riding in a red minivan after receiving a call about break-in at the Shuman Admission Center at Phillips Academy Saturday afternoon.

After a chase on local roads and the highway involving state police and four different local police departments, the suspect was eventually stopped on the highway with the use “stop sticks,” or strips laid across the road that deflates car tires.

At 3:52 p.m., on Saturday, nearly two hours after first reported, Andover Police arrested arrested Darrin K. O'Neil, 47, of 37 Elmira Ave., Newburyport, on Salem Street. O'Neil was charged with destruction of property over $250, malicious, breaking and entering daytime for a felony, and larceny over $250.

At approximately 2:13 p.m. police received a call from a Phillips Academy employee regarding a broken window at the Shuman Admission Center. The employee reported that she then saw a male walking down from the second floor. When she approached the man, he reportedly said “You scared the crap out of me,” and then left abruptly, eventually heading east on Salem Street towards Route 114.

Lawrence Police attempted to pull the vehicle over near Denny’s, with the help of North Andover, but he then took the chase onto Interstate 495 northbound. State Police then began pursuit of the vehicle.

Newburyport Police ended the pursuit by deploying the stop sticks and stopping the vehicle. Police arrested O’Neil at that point.

O’Neil will be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Monday morning.