NH Escaped Prisoner Arrested In Pennsylvania, Faces New Charges Before Being Returned To NH

A man placed on “Escape Status” from a New Hampshire halfway house was arrested In Pennsylvania

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections says Joseph Balestier is in custody following apprehension in Pennsylvania.

Balestier was arrested on Wednesday on charges of false reporting to law enforcement, obstructing the administration of law, false identification to law enforcement, unlicensed driver, expired registration, and as a fugitive of justice by the Erie, PA Police Department. Balestier remains in custody in Pennsylvania pending those new charges and awaiting extradition back to New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections placed him in escape status from the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit in ManchesterTuesday when he failed to return from his scheduled off-site work shift. The Calumet House is a minimum-security residence on Lowell Street where prisoners are preparing to work and transition to living outside the corrections system.