Two Arrested Following Pursuit, Hourslong Search

STRAFFORD, N.H. – Two people are in custody following a multi-town pursuit in which the suspects threw items at police.

Just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, an officer with the Raymond Police Department attempted to stop the driver of a 2019 Toyota RAV4 for an equipment violation. A State Trooper in the area stopped to assist the Raymond officer and activated their emergency lights. A pursuit was initiated as the driver of the RAV4 proceeded onto Route 101 and began to drive faster.

During the pursuit, items from inside the RAV4 were thrown at police cruisers, including a hammer. A powder substance, later determined to be fentanyl through initial testing, was also emanating from the vehicle throughout the pursuit.

The pursuit continued through multiple communities before officers in Strafford were able to successfully deploy tire deflation devices. While the driver of the RAV4 proceeded at a low rate of speed, a passenger got out of the vehicle and ran into nearby woods. The driver of RAV4, later identified as Christopher Vages, 35, of Rochester, stopped shortly after and was arrested without incident just after midnight. 

In the hours that followed, Troopers worked with local police officers and coordinated a search for the passenger. Members of the State Police’s K-9 Unit and Special Enforcement Unit also responded to assist. At 8:37 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, a Trooper in the State Police helicopter located the passenger hiding in a swamp. He was taken into custody and identified as Matthew Anderson, 36, of Rochester. 

Vages has been charged with felony reckless conduct, falsifying physical evidence and drug possession, as well as a misdemeanor count of aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was also cited with a reckless operation violation. Anderson has been charged with felony falsifying physical evidence, drug possession and reckless conduct, as well as a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. Police determined that Vages and Anderson were also each wanted on outstanding arrest warrants from other jurisdictions.

Both suspects are being held in preventative detention and are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Rochester District Court. 
The New Hampshire State was assisted by members of the Strafford Police Department, Raymond Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Anyone with additional information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Jacob Benjamin at Jacob.A.Benjamin@dos.nh.gov. 

No booking photos are available at this time.