Andover police arrested a driver Oct. 19 after he allegedly fled a traffic stop, abandoned his vehicle on Campanelli Drive and ran into nearby woods.
The search involved officers on foot, a K-9 unit and drones, according to Andover News, which cited police Lt. Frank Fitzpatrick and emergency radio transmissions.
Fitzpatrick said an officer stopped the vehicle for speeding on River Road shortly after 11:30 a.m. When the officer approached and requested the driver’s license and registration, the man drove away at high speed.
The driver turned onto Campanelli Drive, left the vehicle and fled into a wooded area near the office park, Fitzpatrick said.
Officers established a perimeter near American Training, the New England Business Center and the Shawsheen River. Police also positioned personnel near businesses and a school, where staff were asked to keep people inside as a precaution, according to radio traffic cited by Andover News.
The initial K-9 search ended shortly after 1:20 p.m. without locating the driver.
Around 2:49 p.m., American Training staff reported that a man had emerged from the woods. Officers responded and took him into custody shortly before 3 p.m., according to the radio account.
Fitzpatrick confirmed the driver was arrested without incident and faced motor vehicle charges through Lawrence District Court. Police did not immediately release his identity.
Officers continued interviewing witnesses before clearing the area shortly before 4 p.m. No injuries were reported in Fitzpatrick’s account.
