Man Charged With Assault, Disobeying Officer

A Merrimack man was charged over the weekend with assaulting another member of his household before leaving and refusing to pull over for police.

Mark Bannister, 48, of Kingston Court, Merrimack, was charged with disobeying a police officer, operating after suspension and two counts of domestic-related simple assault when he was arrested on Sunday, June 16.

Police say they were called to a Kingston Court residence at approximately 8:37 a.m. for a reported domestic disturbance. While en route, they learned that an involved party had left in a vehicle. A responding officer saw the vehicle and attempted to pull him over, however Bannister continued driving onto Front Street and then Elm Street before turning back in to Kingston Court, police say.

Once the vehicle stopped officers arrested Bannister for disobeying a police officer and operating after suspension.

Continuing their investigation into the initial call, police say they determined that Bannister had assaulted another household member by pushing and slapping them.

Bannister was transported to the Merrimack Police Department where he was  later released on $1,500 personal recognizance bail and ordered to appear in the 9^th Circuit District Division Merrimack Court to answer the misdemeanor charges. A misdemeanor is punishable by a year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.