Police Capture Man Who Beat State Trooper on I-93 in Salem

[Story posted at 3:30 p.m. Updated at 6:15 p.m.]

Massachusetts State Police have apprehended a man who led multiple agencies on a chase Saturday through the area after he assaulted a New Hampshire trooper trying to do a good deed in Salem.

Sean McGurk, 42, of 61 Washington St., Apt. A, in Concord, was taken into custody in an undisclosed location around noon Monday.

Additional details about his arrest weren't immediately available.

McGurk was held in Massachusetts State Police custody in Newbury, Mass., pending an arraignment in Haverhill on a fugitive from justice charge in connection to the Dec. 21 incident in Salem.

Authorities said McGurk waived extradition to New Hampshire and was immediately released to New Hampshire State Police for transport back to New Hampshire.

McGurk was processed at the Salem Police Department by both Salem and state police. He is scheduled for arraignment in Derry District Court at 8:45 a.m. on Dec. 24.

McGurk was wanted on simple assault, resisting arrest, driving while being deemed an habitual offender, and theft of a motor vehicle charges, after he beat a state trooper who pulled over on Interstate 93 south to help him with his disabled vehicle near the Mall at Rockingham Park around 7:42 p.m. Saturday.

Probationary Trooper James Powers saw McGurk's disabled white 1998 Volvo V70 along I-93. Powers pulled over and approached McGurk "to offer assistance," according to state police. State police said Powers' "became suspicious" of McGurk during their interaction, though, and McGurk attempted to flee after additional questioning.

A physical altercation ensued, and Powers used a Taser and pepper spray during 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.