LEICESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A four hour manhunt was called off after the suspect evaded authorities by rowing across a pond, said police.
The four hour search began around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when Worcester Police contacted Leicester Police for help arresting a suspect who had allegedly been involved in a Worcester incident. When Leicester officers arrived at the man's address, they learned he had left five minutes before police arrived. Police also learned that the man possibly had a shotgun. Officers searched the area and said they found a loaded assault rifle and a survival kit with loaded magazines along the wood line of the suspect's home.
Police said they could hear someone running in the woods, so they set up a perimeter around the area. Multiple agencies responded, including two K-9 units. The dogs led officers to Waite Pond; the fire department and a Leicester officer launched a boat to search the pond. Meanwhile, a resident reported his rowboat was stolen within the last few hours.
Around 4:45 a.m., police said the stolen rowboat was found in the Chapel Street side of the pond. Police terminated the search, believing the man had fled the area.
While the active search is over, police are continuing to investigate.