A New Bedford man was arrested after leading State Police on a multi-town car chase Monday afternoon that wound through Wareham, Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett and Fairhaven before ending in New Bedford.

The pursuit started on Mary’s Pond Road in Rochester.

"Sgt. Robert Small encountered a gentleman outside of his vehicle striking it with a hatchet," said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee.

At the end of the chase, police arrested 50-year-old Randall Harrison. Wareham Police assisted State Police during the chase.

Harrison, who at times was reportedly waving his hatchet out the window and pouring lighter fluid on himself and his vehicle, thwarted police for a time as he drove on I-195, Route 6 and Cranberry Highway. Along the way, police attempted to halt the driver using stop sticks that would deflate his tires.

“It’s a dangerous thing to do, so you have to have the right conditions,” said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee. “He was able to avoid multiple attempts to get him with the stop sticks.”

The chase didn’t exceed 60 miles per hour on the highway or 35 on Route 6, he said.

Marion Chief Lincoln Miller did say one of his officers attempting to deploy stop sticks had a close encounter with the Blazer on I-195.

“[The man] swerved at the officer. He had to run out of the way,” said Miller.

State Police apprehended Harrison in New Bedford, and he will now face multiple charges across several towns, said Magee.

“What’s most important is none of my guys were hurt,” he said.

Harrison is currently being evaluated at St. Luke’s Hospital. State Police will process his arrest upon his release. Massachusetts Environmental Police also assisted as did the State Police Air Wing.

Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh declined to comment, deferring to State Police who he said initiated the chase.

State Police said further information is not available at this time.