UPDATE: The suspect has been apprehended.
ORIGINAL STORY (11:30 a.m.): State and Salem police are still looking for a man who fled after assaulting a state trooper who pulled over on Interstate 93 to help a disabled vehicle Saturday night.
State police said Sean McGurk, 42, of 61 Washington St., Apt. A, in Concord, is wanted on simple assault, resisting arrest, and driving while being deemed an habitual offender charges in connection to the incident, which took place on Interstate 93 south near the Mall at Rockingham Park around 7:42 p.m. Saturday.
State police issued a release Monday about the incident, which allegedly occurred after probationary Trooper James Powers saw a disabled white 1998 Volvo V70 along I-93 in Salem.
Powers pulled over and approached the operator of the vehicle — a man later identified as McGurk — "to offer assistance," according to state police. State police said Powers' "became suspicious" of McGurk during their interaction, and McGurk attempted to flee after additional questioning.
A physical altercation ensued, and Powers used a Taser and pepper spray in an attempt to arrest McGurk. McGurk broke free, though, and fled into the woods, according to state police.
Additional state troopers and the Salem Police Department responded in order to locate McGurk. Police followed McGurk's tracks to a nearby residence, where it was found that McGurk allegedly stole a motor vehicle and fled the area.
Residents reported that nearly a dozen cruisers were in the area Saturday night.
State police said the stolen vehicle was recovered "a short time later" in the Marshalls parking lot at the corner of Routes 110 and 495 in Haverhill, Mass. Additional details weren't available Monday.
Powers suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized as a result of the incident. Staff Sgt. Paul Hunt said Monday morning that Powers is "doing good" and will return to duty in the near future.
State police said McGurk may still be in the Haverhill area, and that McGurk may seek medical attention due to injuries they believe he suffered during the altercation with Powers.
McGurk is approximately 6-feet, 2-inches tall, weighs about 185 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. State police said McGurk has a "past history of aggression" toward law enforcement and "is to be considered dangerous."
Police ask anyone who comes in contact with McGurk to not approach McGurk and to contact authorities immediately.
McGurk is also wanted by the Salem Police Department on one count of theft of a motor vehicle.
Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of McGurk is asked to call Sgt. Bryan Trask or Trooper James Powers at the New Hampshire State Police Troop B barracks at (603) 223-4381.
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