Thursday, September 7, 2000 Older Editions

Cops: Teens hit man, police car

By Neil Fater

Four Andover teens were expected to be arraigned Wednesday for their involvement in what police say was a high-speed, stolen-car chase in which the driver struck a state-police cruiser and ran over a New Hampshire toll-booth operator.

Richard Joy, 67, the toll-booth worker hit by the speeding vehicle Tuesday, was taken by helicopter to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was listed as being in "good condition" as of Wednesday morning.

Two 16-year-old males, a 16-year-old female and a 19-year-old male, all from Andover, were involved in the alleged hit-and-run, say police.

"(The driver) attempted to go through the toll at a high rate of speed. When he attempted to do this, he hit (Joy) a toll-booth operator," said Andover Lt. James Hashem. "They all face numerous charges both here and in New Hampshire."

All were arrested after returning to Andover. Hashem said that some identification left in one of the stolen cars led police to the youth.

Sean Guillet, 19, of 60 Rattlesnake Hill Road, was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

A 15-year-old juvenile female from Andover, and two 16-year-old juvenile males of Andover were also arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving a stolen vehicle.

The 16-year-old driver will face additional felony charges in New Hampshire of reckless conduct, receiving stolen property, and leaving scene of accident, said Sgt. Richard Mitchell, of the New Hampshire state police.

New Hampshire state police are still investigating the incident, he said, and first-degree assault charges are also possible depednind on Joy's injuries.

The incident began in Andover at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday when Officer Peter Reming tried to stop a 1990 Toyota for speeding on Summer Street, say police.

The driver refused to stop, and sped to Route 125, heading for Middleton. Andover police say they ordered Reming to stop pursuit at the North Andover/Middleton line.

But state police continued the chase, and a Massachusetts state trooper's vehicle was rammed by the Toyota in the Peabody area, says Hashem.

The Toyota blew a tire, but the operater continued driving.

The car headed for New Hampshire on Interstate 95, and later hit Joy as he went through the toll booth, says Hashem.

The car continued to Portsmouth, where police say the occupants stole another vehicle from a construction site. They took that car to a home and received a ride back to Andover.

But police were staking out the home of one of the juveniles, and made their arrests, says Hashem.

Reporter Rebecca Piro contributed to this article.