Concord Man Arrested on Warrant in Franklin

FRANKLIN, NH — A Concord man was arrested this afternoon north of the city on a warrant and was allegedly found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle, at the time of the arrest, according to police. Derek Benwell was arrested on Sept. 7, 2016, on the warrant, out of Concord, for possession of liquor fentanyl.

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

“During a search (after) his arrest, officers discovered a hypodermic needle hidden on Mr. Benwell,” according to a post on Facebook. “He will be held at the Merrimack County Jail pending arraignment.”

According to posts online, Benwell, who previously lived on Old Suncook Road in the capital city, is no stranger to either department.

In August 2012, Benwell was arrested in Franklin on a warrant for theft after an incident on Hancock Terrace, according to police. In December of that year, he was charged with three counts of theft after alleged incidents at Stratham Tire on Manchester Street involving nearly $6,000 worth of items, including tires, according to a post on Concord NH Patch.

A month later, he was arrested again in the city on a Concord warrant, according to Franklin Police. He was also arrested for assault in Franklin in late January, according to police.

Last year, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Benwell was arraigned on a narcotics charge after he allegedly overdosed on heroin in April. He reported told a probation officer that he had relapsed after completing an intensive 15-month treatment stint in January of that year. The prosecutor noted that Benwell had “a 17-page criminal history.”