Man Allegedly Flees Car Crash, Hides in Sand Bunker at Wenham Country Club

Wenham, MA - Wenham police arrested a Saugus man over the weekend after he allegedly got into an accident in front of the town hall, fled the scene, and then hid in a sand bunker at the Wenham Country Club.

Upon searching the vehicle after the crash, officers found more than $22,000 in cash and a quantity of marijuana.

The driver of the car, Daniel Nicholas Ballentine, 22, of Saugus, was charged with operating to endanger, using a motor vehicle without authority, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving property damage, and speeding. Additional charges may be pending, according to police.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, Wenham firefighters saw a black Mercedes sedan travel speeding on Arbor Street at before it crossed both lanes of Main Street, and struck a tree on the front lawn of the Wenham Town Hall.

Ballentine and a female occupant were seen by firefighters running from the scene, according to police. Wenham police officers were able to locate the female passenger near the crash scene. Wenham Police, Hamilton Police, and a K-9 unit from nearby Manchester-by-the-Sea conducted a search of the area, and they were able to track the subject to a residential development on Main Street and then to the golf course at the Wenham Country Club located at 94 Main St. The K-9 unit located Ballentine attempting to hide in a sand bunker on the course. He was taken into custody without incident.

An inventory search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing a large amount of cash totaling $22,650. The cash and several cell phones were seized. A small, non-criminal amount of marijuana was also located in the vehicle.

Both parties were evaluated by EMS at the scene and refused transportation to the hospital.

"I am proud of the collaborative work by the Wenham police and fire departments and the Manchester-by-the-Sea K-9 unit," Wenham Police Chief Thomas Perkins said. "The high level of communication at this unusual scene led to the rapid location and arrest of the suspect."

The investigation remains ongoing by the Wenham Police Department and Det. Shane Kavanagh. Additional charges may follow.