Burlington police use less lethal against a man who was armed with a hammer after a police chase
By: -----
Police say a Colchester man faces multiple charges after leading police on a high-speed chase through Burlington and threatening officers with a hammer Wednesday night.
When officers approached, they say 41-year-old Thomas Burke got into the driver’s seat and sped off, almost hitting a marked cruiser with its lights on.
Burke ended up crashing into several cars stopped at a traffic light. Police say he then got out of the car and ran off behind residential buildings, leading them on a foot pursuit. Then, using a hammer, they say he made threats towards officers and himself.
Police subdued Burke using non-lethal munitions, and he was taken into custody. He faces multiple charges including attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, eluding police, and gross negligent operation.
Burlington police say they later learned Burke was also involved in multiple vehicle pursuits by neighboring law enforcement agencies.