By SANDY McGEE

BELLINGHAM — A local police sergeant and several bystanders were nearly run down during a high-speed chase Wednesday afternoon near two local schools, police said. No serious injuries were reported

 A woman called police Wednesday around 2:40 p.m. to report that a relative was driving to T&J Heating & Air Conditioning at 121 Mechanic St. to fight with her husband, said police Capt. Gerry Corriveau.
According to Corriveau, the woman reported that the relative “would hurt anyone that got in his way.” 
Upon arriving at T&J Heating & Air Conditioning, police said a 1993 Mazda driven by Robert A. Cook turned into the parking lot and struck a parked, unoccupied 2005 Saturn belonging to an employee.
Cook, 38, of Millis, Mass., allegedly made a vulgar hand gesture and shouted an obscenity at police on the scene, according to Corriveau. The Mazda then sped onto Route 140, driving toward Blackstone Street, police said.
While leaving the parking lot, police said Cook’s vehicle barely missed hitting several oncoming cars. “He was driving in a reckless fashion,” Corriveau said.
Two Bellingham police cruisers immediately took off after Cook’s vehicle, which was seen illegally passing two vehicles, police said.
Cook’s vehicle turned into the parking lot of Rapid Refill at 2007 Mechanic St. while “nearly striking several customers walking in the parking lot and two other vehicles,” said Corriveau.
 The Mazda then exited onto South Maple Street at a high rate of speed, illegally passing two more vehicles, police said.
Cook then failed to stop for a school bus that was preparing to  drop off students, according to police. The school bus had its lights flashing and stop sign out as the Mazda drove around it, police said.
The Mazda continued on South Maple Street and nearly collided with two more vehicles while turning right onto Lake Street, police said.
“He (Cook) passed vehicles as they appeared in front of him with absolutely no regard for the safety of anyone,” Corriveau said. “We had a very dangerous individual here.”
The Mazda then took a fast right onto Cross Street and another right onto Center Street, where it nearly struck a police cruiser driving toward it, Corriveau said. The officer behind the wheel was looking to place tire-puncturing stop sticks on Cross Street at the time.
 The Mazda swerved around the cruiser, continued on Center Street and turned right onto South Main Street, police said. There, it again nearly collided with another vehicle and illegally passed several cars in the vicinity of Easy Street.
“That is a no passing zone,” Corriveau said. “It’s very dangerous right there.”
Cook also allegedly passed a vehicle in front of Ann’s Lakeview Farms restaurant, across from Bellingham Middle School.
Cook then turned right onto Blackstone Street and drove past fields between the high school and middle school, where several students were participating in sport programs, police said.
He then reached the intersection of Blackstone and Mechanic streets, police said, where Sgt. Ed Guzowski was in the process of deploying stop sticks.
“The individual headed straight for Sgt. Guzowski, who jumped out of the way,” Corriveau said.
Guzowski leaped onto the sidewalk just as the Mazda sped toward him, police said. The Mazda then maneuvered around the stop sticks.
Cook allegedly then drove onto Mechanic Street, turning left into the chase’s starting point — the parking lot of T&G Heating & Air Conditioning.
There, police said they tried to stop the Mazda by ramming it with the department’s Ford Expedition, operated by Sgt. Rich Perry. The Mazda collided with the Ford, reversed, drove around it and collided with a police cruiser operated by officer Tim Joyce. Neither officer was injured.
Cook then allegedly drove through a section of woods and back onto Route 140, heading toward Franklin. Four Bellingham police cruisers, one operated by Guzowski, pursued the suspect.
“There was every intention, based on his actions, that he (Cook) was going to hurt somebody,” Corriveau said.
Police say Cook’s vehicle then veered off into a dirt lot on Mechanic Street, directly across from the previously visited Rapid Refill. He then drove around in circles before returning to the road, Corriveau said.
At that point, several Franklin police cruisers joined the pursuit. The high-speed chase finally came to an end after the Mazda turned onto Old Central Street and stopped in the middle of the road near the MBTA train station.
“He then exited the car, pulled his shirt off and assumed a fighting stance, raising both of his fists,” Corriveau said. “The officers began (issuing) verbal commands, which he refused (to obey).”
The man was taken to the ground by force, where he continued to struggle with the officers by kicking and flaring his arms, Corriveau said. Cook was subdued with a type of pepper spray, police said.
He was later transported to Milford Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
According to police, officers used two sets of handcuffs to secure the 5 foot 10 inch, 350-lb. subject.
“We’re just thankful that, given the circumstances, no one was hurt,” Corriveau said. “We’re extremely thankful no one was hurt.”
Cook was charged disturbing the peace; resisting arrest; four counts of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, a motor vehicle; failure to stop for a police officer; and operating a motor vehicle recklessly as to endanger.
He was also charged with failure to stop for a school bus, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and several additional traffic violations.
Cook is being held without bail pending a May 12 arraignment in Milford District Court.