Man Disobeys 'One Way' Sign, Runs from Police, Gets Arrested

Robert Drake, 51, was arrested for circumventing a standing detour, disobeying a police officer, and then physically pulling away from an officer who followed him to his home Monday morning.

According to Hudson police, at around 8:23 a.m. on Sept. 16 an officer who was on duty monitoring for violators of the restricted access sign on Webster Street near Elam Avenue attempted to stop a vehicle that had entered against the "do not enter: signs.

Hudson Police Lt. David Bianchi explained that for years Webster Street has been "exit only" onto Elm Avenue between the hours of 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. after complaints from residents about traffic back-ups.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Drake, made a comment to the officer on duty before driving around him as the officer attempted to wave Drake over to the side of the road. The officer got into his vehicle and pursued Drake for about a quarter mile to Drake's residence on Webster Street.

At that point, the officer attempted to apprehend Drake who was able to break free of the officer and enter his residence. After a few more officers arrived to assist, Drake surrendered to police and was arrested. He is charged with: disobeying a police officer; resisting arrest or detention; traffic control device violation; uninspected motor vehicle.

Drake was released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail and will appear in the 9th Circuit Court in Nashua at a later date.

Bianchi said police man the intersection a few times a month because of the safety issue that occurs, especially when people attempt to circumvent the process.

"It causes a ripple effect which creates traffic issues further down the line – it's not just people speeding down Webster, but the jam up at intersections. We know everyone wants to avoid the traffic on the bridge," Bianchi said. "But the best thing to do is to plan on the back up and leave a little early."