NH Man Arrested On Drug, Endangerment Charges After Allowing Child To Drive SUV

MANCHESTER, NH — A local man is facing numerous charges after allegedly letting a child drive his SUV while another child was inside of the vehicle, according to Manchester. Enrique Moreno, 37, of Manchester, was arrested on Sept. 22, 2017, and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of possession of controlled drug-cocaine, heroin. At just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, an officer on Putnam Street reportedly saw “several motor vehicle infractions” and pulled a 2002 Acura MDX over near Blucher Street, according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department.

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

“Moreno, who was seated in the passenger seat, exited the car and attempted to speak with the officer before he made his way to the driver’s window,” O’Keefe alleged. “The officer ordered him back to his vehicle as he approached the driver of the Acura.” (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Bedford NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The officer then realized that a child, 11, was in the driver’s seat, removed the keys from the ignition, and placed the child in the backseat with his brother, 3, who was buckled into his car seat at the time. The children’s mother was called to the scene and took custody of the kids and Moreno was arrested on child endangerment charge.

The two drug charges were added after the officer allegedly located heroin, cocaine, and marijuana during a search of the vehicle.

Moreno is due to be arraigned today in Hillsborough County Superior Court.

Credit: Manchester Police.