UPDATE: Woburn Man Leads State Police on High Speed Chase in Stolen Taxi

A Woburn man allegedly led police on a high speed chase early this morning after police received a report of a stolen taxi cab from Watertown.

Welbert Nasser, 29, of Woburn, was taken into custody by the Massachusetts State Police in Chicopee this morning, state police said.

At approximately 3:28 a.m. Monday, Massachusetts State Police received notification of a stolen taxi cab from Watertown. A short time later, a state trooper observed the taxi traveling westbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate 90 in Ashland, police said. The state trooper followed the vehicle before being joined by another state trooper and attempting to stop the taxi.

The two troopers attempted to stop the vehicle as they traveled westbound in Auburn, at speeds of more than 100 mph, authorities said.

The vehicle ultimately hit a tire deflation device deployed by the Massachusetts State Police in Chicopee, after which the vehicle continued traveling at a significantly decreased rate of speed. The taxi continued driving at 30 mph until it exited onto Route 20 in Chicopee, before stopping in a parking lot, state police said.

Nasser then fled the vehicle on foot. Police apprehended the Woburn man after a brief chase.

According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Nasser was arraigned in Framingham District Court today on Monday and faces charges of larceny of a motor vehicle, failure to stop, speeding, a marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Bail was set at $1,000 cash. Nasser’s next scheduled court appearance is Wednesday, Aug. 12.