Cops Use Drone To Track Down Firearm Theft Suspect In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NH — A Concord resident, who was previously convicted of a hate crime, is in more trouble after being arrested in Manchester Monday on gun theft and other charges.

Around 7:40 p.m., officers in the Queen City were sent to the area of Ashland and Bridge streets for a report of a firearm theft. While driving to the area, officers learned from dispatch that a shot had been fired during the incident, according to Heather Hamel, the public information officer for the Manchester Police Department.

"When police arrived, they spoke with the man who had been chasing the suspect," Hamel said. "He told police he had found someone in his friend's car. He confronted the suspect and that's when the unknown man pointed a gun at him."

The suspect had found the gun in the car, the witness said, and ran off — with the witness chasing him.

"During the chase, the suspect turned and fired one shot," Hamel said.

Cops deployed a drone and K-9 unit to search for the suspect and found a man laying down in the backyard of a Hall Street home a few blocks away. The suspect, later identified as Donald Freese III, 29, was ordered to come out "but would not comply," Hamel said.

The K-9 unit was sent in and Freese was taken in to custody.

"The gun was not located," Hamel said, "(but) detectives are actively searching for it."

Freese was charged with theft by unauthorized taking-firearm, three counts of criminal threatening-firearm, and reckless conduct-deadly weapon, all felonies, as well as loitering and prowling and resisting arrest. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court North Tuesday.

Freese is no stranger to police. He was arrested in August in Concord on a domestic violence-criminal threatening charge on Garvins Falls Road in Concord. In September 2019, Freese was arrested domestic violence-simple assault, criminal mischief, and simple assault charges also on Garvins Falls Road.

Freese was accused of criminal liability for the conduct of another-second-degree assault and criminal threatening, both felonies, as well as simple assault in Hooksett in July 2012 after a racially motivated hate crime against a Manchester man outside of Market Basket. He was found guilty on the threat and assault charges. In August 2014, he requested a new trial but was denied. Freese's request was taken to the New Hampshire Supreme Court which affirmed a lower court decision in August 2015.

While serving in prison, in September 2013, he was charged with assault by a prisoner and claimed self-defense but was convicted in September 2014. He was also arrested in Salem in January 2012 on a resisting charge after an acquaintance was charged with stealing cupcakes and other items.

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

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