New Hampshire man holding shotgun in street arrested after Ashby crash, struggle with police

ASHBY — On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 2:25 p.m., Officer Eldon Garhart and Chief Derek Pepple of the Ashby Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Fitchburg State Road and Mill Creek Drive.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Statement of Facts of Officer Eldon Garhart and Chief Derek Pepple and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

Officer Garhart stated that while he was en route to the scene, dispatch informed him that several callers reported a man inside a vehicle yelling at a woman and throwing items out of the truck.

“When I arrived on scene, I observed a white pickup truck on the eastbound breakdown lane,” Officer Garhart said. “The vehicle was facing westbound. At the scene, I observed a male subject, later identified as Riely Andersen, in the back of the pickup. When I approached the vehicle, Andersen was verbally hostile, non-compliant and acting aggressively. At the scene, also was the driver of the vehicle, Ashley [last name redacted].”

Chief Pepple reported that the pickup truck had visible damage to the front bumper, passenger-side wheel and suspension, as well as a broken rear window. He also noted the driver’s side airbag had deployed.

“On the side of the road on the westbound lane of Fitchburg State Road, I observed approximately five individuals had gathered at the location and were standing on the roadside watching, some had their cameras out,” Officer Garhart said.

Officer Garhart stated that he approached the individuals to ask what they had observed. He made contact with Lynn [last name redacted], who told him she had been driving behind the vehicle and had called in the accident. Lynn said that Andersen had been yelling and verbally arguing with Ashley prior to the officer’s arrival.

“While conducting my investigation into the crash, Andersen was advised his vehicle was going to be towed,” Officer Garhart said. “The vehicle had driver’s side air bag deployment and the passenger side front wheel was pushed up into the wheel well. The vehicle was stopped on the westbound breakdown lane of a 45-mph road.”

According to police, Riely J. Andersen, 29, is a resident of Forest Road in Hancock, New Hampshire.

Officer Garhart noted that there was a sharp curve in the road before the vehicle’s location, which would make it hard for another vehicle to see it in time to avoid it.

“These factors caused a significant hazard to the motoring public and it was necessary to remove the hazard quickly,” Officer Garhart said. Adding, “Andersen was advised that his vehicle was going to need to be towed and we had requested a tow company come to remove the vehicle. Andersen entered the driver’s side of his vehicle, started it and put it into gear. I advised Andersen the vehicle was not allowed to move until I had finished my investigation.”

Officer Garhart stated that Andersen did not comply until after approximately six to eight verbal commands to turn off and exit the vehicle.

“While I was taking photographs of the damage and status of the vehicle for my crash report, Andersen again became confrontational and argumentative when I opened the door of the vehicle to take a picture of the air bag deployment,” Officer Garhart said. “Andersen stated, ‘You don’t have a right to search my vehicle.’ I advised Andersen what I was doing and that I was not searching the vehicle.”

Officer Garhart reported that when Aldrich towing arrived and began backing up to the front of the vehicle, Andersen positioned himself in front of his vehicle and refused to move.

“It took several authoritative commands before Andersen complied and moved away from the vehicle,” Officer Garhart said. “While conducting a vehicle inventory of the contents of the vehicle, Andersen again became confrontational and argumentative, stating, ‘Get the f*ck out of my sh*t,’ and ‘I don’t need you going through my sh*t!’ I advised Andersen this was only being done to ensure his valuable items are documented. I advised Andersen that if he refuses to allow us to search, he will not have recourse to accuse Aldrich of missing items.”

At this time, Officer Garhart said he returned to his cruiser to gather information needed to continue his investigation.

“While I was working on my MDT [Mobile Data Terminal], I observed Chief Pepple was holding Andersen’s right wrist and was attempting to keep Andersen seated on the ground,” Officer Garhart said.

Officer Garhart said that when he approached the scene, he saw a shotgun in Andersen’s right hand.

“I removed the weapon from Andersen’s hand,” Officer Garhart said. “Andersen stated, ‘You don’t have any right to take my sh*t.’”

As Officer Garhart attempted to move away and secure the firearm, he observed Chief Pepple escorting Andersen. Andersen repeatedly stated, “Don’t f*cking touch me like that,” and swung his arm out of Chief Pepple’s grasp, continuing to swing his arm and elbow in an effort to prevent Chief Pepple from regaining control of him.

“I then moved to assist Chief Pepple with gaining control of Andersen,” Officer Garhart said. “Andersen immediately pulled his arms around his abdomen and held his arms rigidly and forcefully against his abdomen.”

Officer Garhart stated that Andersen was given five to six verbal commands to place his hands behind his back but did not comply. Andersen kept his arms rigid and stiff, apparently trying to prevent officers from handcuffing him. His hands were eventually placed behind his back and handcuffed without his compliance.

“As I was attempting to escort Andersen to the back of my patrol car, Andersen stated, ‘Do not put me in the back of that cruiser,’ and attempted to pull away from me into the street,” Officer Garhart said. “I pulled Andersen to myself to regain positive control of him. As I was placing Andersen in the back of my patrol car he stated, ‘I am not getting in the back.’ I had to physically turn and maneuver Andersen onto the rear seat of my patrol car. During the entire process, Andersen’s body was rigid and stiff.

Officer Garhart stated that after securing Andersen in the patrol car and fastening his seat belt, he observed that Chief Pepple had sustained a laceration to his right index finger, which was bleeding profusely. He noted the injury had not been present before the struggle with Andersen.

“After securing Andersen in the back of my patrol car, I went and secured the shotgun,” Officer Garhart said. “I slid the pump action lever back and the weapon ejected one round, indicating a round was chambered in the shotgun. I continued to rack the pump action until no more shells were ejected. The weapon contained a total of two shells.”

Officer Garhart then transported Andersen to the Ashby Public Safety Building.

“Andersen was placed in the holding cell and his handcuffs were removed as he was compliant,” Officer Garhart said.

Officer Garhart stated that during booking, Andersen was read his Miranda rights along with a standard Miranda waiver form. Andersen verbally acknowledged each question but refused to sign the form.

“During booking, Andersen was very lethargic, with slurred speech, and was constantly falling asleep,” Officer Garhart said. “I inquired if Andersen had used any form of drugs today and ensured him the question was only for medical purposes. Andersen stated, ‘No.’”

Andersen’s bail was set at $5,000 cash.

Officer Garhart stated that because bail had not been received, the Middlesex House of Correction was contacted to determine if they would accept custody of Andersen. The facility agreed, and Andersen was transported there and turned over without incident.

Officer Garhart stated that the Patriot Regional Emergency Communications Center conducted a Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms Identification Card check using Andersen’s name and date of birth. The check returned no record found.

Andersen was arrested and charged with the following:

1. Firearm, Carry without License, Loaded
2. Possess Firearm without FID Card
3. Assault & Battery on Police Officer
4. Resist Arrest
5. Disorderly Conduct

Andersen was arraigned in Ayer District Court on May 19, 2025. During the arraignment, the Commonwealth moved to consolidate Andersen’s case with another related case, and the court allowed the motion. The Commonwealth also requested that Andersen be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. The court granted the motion and scheduled a dangerousness hearing for May 22, 2025, ordering the Commonwealth to produce witnesses within 24 hours.

During his dangerousness hearing on May 22, the court found Andersen to be dangerous and ordered that he continue to be held without bail.

On June 13, 2025, Andersen’s case was transferred to Worcester Superior Court, where he was indicted and released on the condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device.

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in May, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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