By ERIC KEPHAS

PDT Staff Writer

Portsmouth and New Boston police were involved in a high-speed chase Saturday with a Portsmouth man they say was driving a stolen grey Chevy Malibu.

According to Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner, the chase ended with the arrest of Jeremy T. Stevens of 2503 Ritchie St. Stevens, 20, was charged with felonious assault on a police officer, failure to comply, theft of a motor vehicle, and no operator’s license. A passenger in the car, Aaron T. Armstrong of the same address, was not charged.

Horner said the pursuit began after an officer observed a traffic violation. Horner said the vehicle accelerated when its driver saw police, starting a seven-mile pursuit in the 4900 block of U.S. State Route 52 involving speeds in excess of 80 mph.

According to Horner, two Portsmouth police cruisers and a New Boston cruiser were damaged in the chase. One officer was injured and treated at the scene.

“I’d like to extend our appreciation and the police department’s appreciation to the New Boston Police Department for their assistance,” Horner said.

In an unrelated incident soon after the chase, police said Justin Adkins was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly breaking into a home and stealing a purse.

ERIC KEPHAS can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234, or ekephas@heartlandpublications.com.