Lynn man leads police on chase through three towns in stolen truck

LYNN – A Lynn man’s decision to steal his father’s truck in Salem Wednesday led police on a wild chase through three communities that came to a crashing end on Ocean Street in Lynn, police said.Edward Walton, 31, of 104 Waterhill St., Lynn, was arrested and faces a long list of charges from police in Lynn, Salem and Swampscott.Salem police said Walton stole a 1980 Chevy pickup belonging to his father, Edward Walton Sr., 53, whom he lives with, from an insurance company’s Margin Street office shortly before 12:30 p.m.An officer on patrol heard a call about the theft on his police radio when he saw Walton driving the stolen vehicle on Jefferson Avenue and began to pursue it, police said.Walton allegedly refused to stop, often swerving on both sides of the double yellow line and straight through four red lights, according to police.At one point, Walton crashed into an ambulance that was transporting a patient in Vinnin Square, police said.Walton kept going down Loring Avenue into Swampscott and eventually Lynn, where the chase ended after he crashed the truck into a tree outside 127 Ocean St., police said.Police did not officially provide a motive for the theft and chase, but one officer said Walton has mental health issues.Salem police charged Walton with larceny of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation, operating to endanger, four red light violations, marked lanes violations, passing vehicles where prohibited and failing to stop for police.Lynn police charged him with unlicensed operation, reckless operation, speeding and a one-way violation.Charges from Swampscott police were not available Wednesday night.