Cromwell Man Led Police On Chase, Triggered Shelter-In-Place: Police

EPPING, NH — A Cromwell man is accused of leading state police on a chase and triggering a shelter-in-place at a New Hampshire university campus, according to state police.

New Hampshire state police received a "be on the lookout" alert from the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office regarding a vehicle whose driver fled from an attempted traffic stop. Before running from police in Lee, the driver had also caused a crash resulting in property damage in Rochester and left the scene, according to the police statement.

A trooper then spotted the car, a black 2000 Mercedes ML320, traveling south on Route 125 in Epping. The trooper attempted to stop the Mercedes, but the driver sped away, eventually going onto Route 101 westbound and Interstate 93 northbound, police said.

The chase ended on the Southern New Hampshire University campus in Hooksett when the driver of the Mercedes reached a dead-end road. However, the driver then ran into a wooded area.

Troopers searched for the suspect. While the search was going on, the university notified campus community members and issued a shelter-in-place alert.

Troopers found the man in a wooded area and took him into custody.

Michael Delucco, 23, of Cromwell, 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 for DUI conviction, resisting arrest or detention, and disorderly conduct. He also received a civil violation for reckless operation, police said.

Delucco was held in preventative detention and was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

The incident is under investigation.