Dope Hookup Leads to Robbery, Drug Charges: Cops

MANCHESTER, NH — A local man is facing armed robbery and drug charges after allegedly pointing a handgun at a woman he knew on Facebook and taking her iPhone, according to police. Burt Chalston, 28, of Granite Street in Manchester, was arrested on May 4, 2017, and charged with armed robbery and possession of a narcotic drug, both felonies. According to police, at just after noon yesterday, a woman called police alleging she was robbed by Chalston.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

The woman – 25 – reportedly told police that she knew Chalston through Facebook and stopped by his residence to smoke some marijuana. That’s when trouble began, according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department.

“She stood outside of the common hallway waiting for him to exit his apartment,” O’Keefe stated. “He was allegedly armed with a black handgun when he walked out of his residence. Chalston immediately grabbed her arm in an attempt to remove her pocketbook.”

The victim was reportedly holding an iPhone 7 as this occurred, O’Keefe said, and pulled away to prevent him from taking her purse.

“Chalston allegedly raised the handgun in the air as she pulled away, yet he managed to take her cellphone,” the victim reportedly told police. “She immediately left the common hallway area and exited the building.”

The victim drove from the scene but was able to use a stranger’s phone to contact police. Officers then made contact with Chalston on Granite Street and he was arrested.

About five hours later, detectives executed a search warrant of Chalston’s residence and allegedly found 25 Oxycodone pills.

“The pills were located next to Chalston’s social security card inside of a bureau,” O’Keefe said in a statement.

Neither a handgun nor the victim’s cellphone were found, according to police.

Chalston was arraigned this morning in Manchester District Court.

This is at least Chalston’s second drug charge during the last three years, according to posts on Patch. He was arrested by New Hampshire State Police in February 2014, on a possession of drugs charge in Manchester.