A man wielding a hatchet led police on a multi-town chase Monday afternoon that ultimately ended in New Bedford.

Rochester police were first notified of an erratic driver on Mary’s Pond Road just before 2 p.m. The man has been identified as Randall W. Harrison, 50, of Summer Street in New Bedford.

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

After Small arrived on the scene, the man fled on foot. Magee said the officer attempted to follow him in his cruiser, but the man ran past him and jumped into his Chevy Blazer, thus beginning a chase through Rochester, Acushnet, New Bedford, Marion, Wareham, Marion, Fairhaven and New Bedford – in that order.

The man, 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 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.

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

State Police apprehended the man in New Bedford. He is now undergoing evaluation at St. Luke’s Hospital and will be processed after his release.

Magee said Harrison will be charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stay in marked lanes, disorderly conduct, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for a stop sign and failure to stop for police.

According to Magee, Harrison has a lengthy criminal history, including resisting arrest and multiple license suspensions and offenses dating back to 1989. Rochester Police have filed an “immediate threat” request to have his license suspended immediately.

While Harrison faces charges from multiple towns, Magee said he's glad there were no injuries in the nearly hour-long chase.

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