Two unlicensed motorcyclists arrested after high-speed pursuit through Ashby and Townsend

ASHBY — On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at approximately 3:35 p.m., Chief Derek Pepple of the Ashby Police Department was driving north on Greenville Road (Route 31) when he noticed two motorcycles heading south that appeared to be travelling faster than the posted speed limit of 45 mph.

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

“I activated my cruiser’s dash mounted radar and confirmed the motorcycles’ speed at 64 mph,” Chief Pepple said.  

Chief Pepple said he turned around and caught up to the speeding motorcycles just before the rotary at Turnpike Road, where they had slowed after encountering traffic.

“As we approached the rotary, I activated my body camera and removed it from my chest in an attempt to record the motorcycles’ registration numbers,” Chief Pepple said. “As I was doing this, I recorded the motorcycles passing within the no passing zone. As I returned the camera to my chest, the camera was shut off.”

Chief Pepple said he radioed ahead to Officer Christopher Davis, who had just completed a traffic stop on Fitchburg State Road, and requested that he stop the motorcycles.

“I then noted that the motorcycles had turned onto Townsend Road,” Chief Pepple said. “I informed Officer Davis of this and activated my cruiser’s emergency lights and siren. I also activated the cruiser’s rumbler siren.”

Chief Pepple said the motorcycles continued east on Townsend Road at a high rate of speed.

“I noted that the cruiser’s radar unit gave a top reading of 74 mph in the posted 35 mph zone,” Chief Pepple said. “As we approached Townsend, I requested that dispatch notify them. As we passed into Townsend in the area of the ranger station, the lead motorcycle continued on as the second motorcycle began to yield.”

At this time, the second motorcycle pulled over to the side of the road, Chief Pepple reported.

“As it did this, I pulled my cruiser in front of it and ordered the operator off of the motorcycle. The operator was immediately placed into handcuffs,” Chief Pepple said. “Officer Davis arrived on scene and I motioned for him to continue on to attempt to catch the lead motorcycle.”

Chief Pepple said the operator of the lead motorcycle – who was apprehended by Officer Davis – was identified as Andrew S. Murray, 20, of Townsend, and the second motorcycle operator was identified as Edward R. Kozloski, 21, of Pepperell, MA.

Murray and Kozloski were arrested and transported to the Ashby Police Department for booking.  Both motorcycles were towed from the scene by Aldrich Towing.

Edward Kozloski was charged with the following violations/offenses:

1. Operating without a license (no motorcycle endorsement)
2. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
3. Marked lanes violation
4. Speeding (74 mph in a 35 mph zone)

Andrew Murray was charged with the following violations/offenses:

1. Operating without a license (no motorcycle endorsement)
2. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
3. Marked lanes violation
4. Speeding (74 mph in a 35 mph zone)
5. Failing to stop for a police officer

Kozloski and Murray were released on personal recognizance and were scheduled to appear in Ayer District Court on Aug. 12, 2025, for their respective arraignments.

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

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