Fugitive Search/Felony Arrests, Alstead, NH

On January 10, 2020 at approximately 0830 AM, Troopers from Troop C conducted a motor vehicle stop on Rte.123 in Alstead, NH in order to effect the arrest of the vehicle's occupants, both of whom had active arrest warrants. The driver of the vehicle,

Jennifer RITCHIE Age 37
Alstead, NH

surrendered without incident and was taken into custody. The passenger in the vehicle,

James Crawford Age 32
Alstead, NH

fled on foot during the stop, running through a shallow river and into the nearby woods. Troopers set up a perimeter around the area, and deployed a K9 Unit as well as the New Hampshire State Police Helicopter to assist in the search. Throughout the morning, and into the early afternoon, police personnel searched the wooded areas of Alstead, East Alstead, and South Acworth looking for Mr. Crawford. Area schools in Alstead and Acworth were notified of the incident. At approximately 2:35 PM police were notified of someone matching CRAWFORD'S description having been seen on a property of of Old Settler's Road in East Alstead.

Troopers responded there immediately and encountered Mr. Crawford, who fled on foot. Shortly thereafter he was apprehended and taken into custody with the assistance of a State Police K9.

Ms. Ritchie is charged with the following:

• Endangering Welfare of Child
• Tampering with Witnesses
• Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution
• Operating After Suspension
• Operating with a Suspended Motor Vehicle Registration

Mr. Crawford is charged with the following:

• First Degree Assault
• Tampering with Witnesses (2 counts)
• Second Degree Assault (2 counts)
• Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault (2 counts)
• Incest (2 counts)
• Falsifying Physical Evidence
• Resisting Arrest
• Violation of Probation

RITCHIE was held without bail. CRAWFORD was held on a detainer from the office of Probation/Parole. Both will be arraigned on their respective charges in Cheshire County Superior Court on Monday January 13, 2020.

The New Hampshire State Police would like to thank NH Fish and Game, the Alstead Police Department, and the Walpole Police Department for their assistance with the search.

These charges are the culmination of a lengthy investigation initiated in 2019.

Anyone that may have further information related to this matter is asked to contact Detective William Neilsen via Troop C dispatch at 603-223-8494 or email at William.Neilsen@dos.nh.gov.