Salem man leads troopers on chase till he runs out of gas

Rafy Villa (NHSP photo)

SALEM - A Massachusetts man was arrested following a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 93.

The incident unfolded Saturday around 11:30 p.m., when a State Trooper was patrolling Interstate 93 in Windham and spotted a white 2025 BMW X2 traveling northbound at a high rate of speed.

When Trooper Guilbeault attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver of the BMW increased speed, and a pursuit ensued, according to a release sent out Sunday.

During the pursuit, the driver of the BMW got off I-93 northbound at Exit 4 in Londonderry then got back on I-93, now southbound, and continued at a high rate of speed. While southbound, the driver took the off-ramps at Exit 3 and Exit 2, crossing intersections each time before continuing down on-ramps back to I-93.

The BMW eventually ran out of gas near mile marker 2 on I-93 southbound in Salem, where Troopers took the driver and two other occupants into custody. The driver was identified as Rafy Villa, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.

Villa was charged with felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor disobeying an officer, and numerous violation offenses, including driving after suspension. He was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled to be arraigned in Salem District Court on Feb. 19. The BMW was also seized pending further investigation. The two other occupants were released without charges.