Two people are in custody following a multi-town police chase in New Hampshire during which the suspects threw a hammer and drugs at the pursuing officers.
The incident began around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when a Raymond police officer attempted to stop the driver of a Toyota RAV4 for an equipment violation. A state police trooper who was in the area stopped to assist the officer and activated their emergency lights.
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The driver of the RAV4 proceeded onto Route 101 at a high rate of speed, and police initiated a pursuit.
During the pursuit, state police said items from inside the RAV4 were thrown at police cruisers, including a hammer. Police said a powdery substance later determined to be fentanyl was also coming from the vehicle throughout the pursuit.
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The chase continued through multiple communities before police in Strafford were abel to successfully deploy tire deflation devices. As the driver of the RAV4 continued at a low rate of speed, a passenger got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods nearby.
Troopers are actively searching the area of Strafford Road in Strafford for a suspect who ran from a vehicle following a pursuit. The suspect is a white male wearing black jeans and a dark hoodie, and is wanted on multiple warrants. Report sightings or suspicious activity to 911. pic.twitter.com/ywb4Srb5YK
— New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) November 1, 2024
Police said the driver of the RAV4, later identified as 35-year-old Christopher Vages, of Rochester, stopped shortly afterward and was arrested without incident shortly after midnight.
In the hours that followed, troopers worked with local police to coordinate a search for the passenger. Over eight hours later, at 8:37 a.m., a trooper in a state police helicopter located the passenger hiding in a swamp. He was taken into custody and identified as 36-year-old Matthew Anderson, of Rochester.
Vages has been charged with felony reckless conduct, falsifying physical evidence and drug possession, along with a misdemeanor count of aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was also cited for a reckless operation violation.
Anderson is charged with felony falsifying physical evidence, drug possession and reckless conduct, along with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.
Police said they determined that both Vages and Anderson were also wanted on outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions.
Both men are being held in preventative detention and are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Monday in Rochester District Court.
