Armed, Dangerous New Hampshire Felon, Fugitive Caught In Vermont

CONCORD, NH — A dangerous fugitive, wanted for many months after disappearing in New Hampshire, was arrested Tuesday while hiding from law enforcement in Vermont.

Douglas Carl Smith Jr., 31, was arrested in West Charleston, VT, on multiple outstanding arrest warrants including aggravated felonious sexual assault, second-degree assault, bail violations on underlying offenses for being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, failing to register as a sex offender, and voter fraud. After his arrest, a charge of fraud was filed against him by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Vermont.

Smith was "a highly sought fugitive" by both marshals and New Hampshire State Police. He was featured as a fugitive of the week and on alerts across the country including on Live PD: Wanted, according to Jeffrey White, a deputy marshal. It was "countless tips" and the hard work of investigators that led to Smith's capture around 6 p.m.

"Smith was located outside of a residence in the 1700 block of Hudson Road where he had been staying with friends while using the name 'Robert,'" White said. "Smith initially complied with commands. But once he figured out that he was about to be arrested, he resisted attempts to place him in handcuffs. Smith was quickly subdued with a Taser and handcuffed by the task force without any further incident."

ALSO READ:

• Hunt For NH Career Criminal Douglas Smith Goes National
• SWAT Sent To Warner After Gunshots Near Fugitive's Former Home
• Armed And Dangerous Felon Accused Of Rape, Second-Degree Assault
• Hunt For Douglas Smith Comes To Concord After Bad Tip
• 2nd Alert Issued For NH Felon Douglas Smith: Trooper Roundup
• NH State Police Seek Public's Help Finding Wanted Croydon Man
• Body Found In Grafton ID'd As Missing Florida Woman

White said members of the task force working on the Smith case included the Belknap, Essex (VT), Rockingham, and Strafford county sheriff’s offices, deputy marshals in both states, with assistance from the Vermont State Police, and "extensive investigation leading up to the arrest of Smith" by state police, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, as well as Concord, Claremont, Newport and Warner police departments "as well as countless others."

Smith disappeared in January and state police put out an alert for his capture. Troopers said he skipped out on weapon and conduct charges after being accused of shooting at another person in Warner in August 2019. While trying to find him, another rape case emerged, and more warrants were issued for his arrest. Smith was convicted on a felonious sexual assault charge in 2009, which requires him to register as a sex offender with police departments.

Smith has a long criminal history dating back 15 years including the sexual assault conviction as well as burglary, theft, harassment, assault, violation of probation or parole and violation of protective orders, receiving stolen property, duty to inform, resisting arrest, breach of bail, and numerous driving after revocation or suspension charges. Last year, Smith was convicted on receiving stolen property, tampering with public records-info, unsworn falsification, and commitment in default of recognizance. He was also indicted on a vote fraud charge and in December 2019 was indicted on felon in possession of a weapon and reckless conduct charges after being accused of firing a gun at a motor vehicle in Warner in August 2019.

After his arrest in September 2019 in the Warner shooting case, a number of media outlets reported that Smith and his wife shared living quarters on Main Street in Grafton with Trish Haynes, a 26-year-old woman whose body was found inside of a washing machine in Grants Pond in September 2018. Haynes had just moved to the state from Florida and was last seen alive in the May 2018. The Haynes murder case is still open.

"This arrest is an example of the dedication and commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement working collaboratively to keep our citizens safe by removing a dangerous individual from the community," added U.S. Marshal Nick Willard.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the U.S. Marshals Service and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube channel.