Suspect Arrested After Pursuit

EPPING, N.H. – A State Police K9 helped apprehend a Connecticut man who ran from local police officers and State Troopers during multiple traffic stops. The search for the suspect concluded safely on a university campus.

At 6:36 p.m. yesterday, June 11, Troopers assigned to the Troop A barracks received “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) information from the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office regarding a vehicle whose driver fled from an attempted traffic stop by the Lee Police Department. Before running from police in Lee, the driver had also caused a crash resulting in property damage in Rochester and left the scene.

Minutes later, Trooper Matthew Dushame observed the vehicle from the BOLO, a black 2000 Mercedes ML320, traveling south on Route 125 in Epping. Trooper Dushame attempted to stop the Mercedes, but the driver continued at a high rate of speed and exhibited erratic operation, eventually going onto Route 101 westbound and Interstate 93 northbound. 

The pursuit ultimately ended on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University in Hooksett when the driver of the Mercedes reached a dead-end road, however, the driver then ran off into a wooded area. Troopers established a perimeter and began searching for the suspect with the assistance of the State Police Canine Unit and State Police UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Unit. During the ongoing search, SNHU notified campus community members of the police activity and issued a shelter-in-place alert.

At approximately 8 p.m., Troopers located the suspect in a wooded area next to East Side Drive in Hooksett and deployed a K9. The suspect, who was determined to be unarmed, was taken into custody and identified as Michael J. Delucco, 23, of Cromwell, Connecticut.

Delucco was charged with felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor charges of disobeying an officer, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, driving under the influence of drugs – second offense, operating after suspension – DUI conviction, resisting arrest or detention, and disorderly conduct. He also received a civil violation for reckless operation. 

Following processing, Delucco was held in preventative detention at the Rockingham County House of Corrections pending a scheduled appearance in Brentwood District Court today, June 12. 

Multiple units and partner agencies assisted Troop A with the pursuit and ensuing investigation, including members of Troop B, Troop D, the Canine Unit and UAS Unit within the State Police; the Manchester Police Department, Hooksett Police Department, Candia Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Lee Police Department, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Hooksett Fire-Rescue Department.

All aspects of the incident remain under investigation by Trooper Matthew Dushame. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Dushame via email at Matthew.T.Dushame@DOS.NH.GOV.