Police Chase Merrimack Man driving A Stolen Car From Bethlehem, Taking Him Into Custody At Gunpoint

Police Pursuit Merrimack Man Driving Stolen Car From Bethlehem, Taken Into Custody In Manchester

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire – On July 16, 2022, at approximately 5:29 PM, New Hampshire State Police were advised by the Bethlehem Police Department to be on the lookout for a vehicle that was reported stolen from an Irving gas station in their town. The vehicle was identified as a gray 2018 BMW 328 wagon.

A short while later, BMW Assist was able to obtain an active location of the vehicle and reported that information to State Police. Troopers from Troop D were able to set up and locate the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Interstate 93 in the area of Exit 18 in Canterbury, NH.

The vehicle failed to pull over as a Trooper attempted to initiate a stop. The vehicle accelerated and weaved around other vehicles to elude the pursuing Trooper. Due to the reckless operation and an increasing amount of traffic in the immediate area, the pursuit was terminated with consideration to public safety.

The New Hampshire State Police helicopter was flying in the Concord area and was able to follow the vehicle after the pursuit was terminated. The vehicle continued to drive in a reckless manner at a high rate of speed, passing between other vehicles despite no longer being actively pursued by law enforcement.

Troopers from Troop B were able to set up south of the vehicle on Interstate 293 in Manchester, NH, and successfully deployed a tire deflation device in the area of Exit 5.

The vehicle exited the Interstate at Exit 4, and traveled East on the Queen City Bridge and North on Elm Street. While turning onto Valley St a State Police Trooper was able to spin the car using his cruiser.

The suspect was ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint by Manchester Police and State Police. He was placed into custody and transported to the Manchester Police station. A short time later an AMR ambulance was dispatched to transport the suspect to the hospital for a report of him experiencing pain from the collision.

The lone operator was identified as Justin Dutton, 40 of Merrimack, NH. Dutton was arrested and will face multiple charges out the Merrimack and Hillsborough Superior Courts including receiving stolen property, felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless operation, disobeying a police officer, and operating after suspension subsequent offense. DUTTON also had active bench warrants for his arrest.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper Kyle Cotnoir at (603) 227-0089 or Kyle.H.Cotnoir@dos.nh.gov.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news

Prior booking photo