Aggressive Panhandler Threatens to Shoot Shoppers, Flees, Crashes Car Repeatedly: Cops

CONCORD, NH - Police are looking to speak to four potential victims of an alleged aggressive panhandler who threatened to shoot and harm Walmart shoppers on Friday night if they didn’t give him money.

Cameron Meehan, 21, of Middlebrook Road in Sunapee, was arrested on Jan. 8, 2016, and charged with driving while intoxicated, three counts of conduct after an accident, resisting arrest or detention, and disobeying an officer.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

According to a Concord Regional Crimeline alert, officers were sent to the Walmart on Loudon Road for a report of an aggressive panhandler threatening shoppers.

While en route, they learned that the person had fled the scene and struck several curbs on Loudon Road and even ran red light, according to Lt. Timothy O’Malley, the commander of the criminal investigations unit for the department.

“A citizen reported that he had stopped his vehicle in front of the suspect’s car near the intersection of Loudon Rd, and N. Main St. to prevent the suspect from moving,” O’Malley said in an alert. “The suspect rammed the citizen’s car several times before going around him and traveling up Centre St (westbound). The suspect was finally apprehended after he had crashed in the area of South St. at Perley St.”

The suspect – later identified as Meehan – was told to place his hands on his head but allegedly refused and began shouting. He reportedly ignored several more commands to comply. Officers went to cuff Meehan but he allegedly resisted and was warned he would be Tased if he didn’t comply. He allegedly continued to resist and was Tased. Meehan allegedly continued to resist but was eventually brought under control.

“Officers noted that the suspect was volatile and exhibited severe mood swings, was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath,” according to O’Malley.

Back at Walmart, police learned of two separate incidents. The first involved two men who entered the store and let employees know about a man in the parking lot who reportedly threatened to shoot them if he wasn’t given $60.

“A third subject reported that he intervened and told the suspect to leave the victims alone and get out of there,” O’Malley stated. “The victims apparently left prior to police arriving on scene. Despite efforts by both police and store employees, they could not locate these victims at the time.”

The other victim – a woman – was loading groceries into her vehicle with her teenage stepson when a man came within a few inches of her head and reportedly threatened to harm her if he wasn’t given $60.

“The victim initially thought the subject was joking and after seeing the look on his face realized he was not,” O’Malley noted. “The victim got into her car and locked her doors. The subject then banged on her front driver side window with his fist. The victim and her stepson then drove away from the area and to her home where she called police.”

While fleeing Walmart and before coming to a crashing halt in the South End, Meehan allegedly struck several vehicles, curbs, and signposts. He also allegedly crashed his vehicle in the D’Amante Drive Shaw’s parking lot. Police found debris at accidents from the vehicle, according to O’Malley.

Meehan refused bail and will be arraigned today.

The Concord Police are still hoping to speak with the two victims who reported being threatened while at Walmart. This incident and the allegation of aggressive panhandling are still under investigation. If any member of the public has information about them, please call Concord PD direct at 603-225-8600 or call the Concord Regional Crimeline at 603-226-3100.