Fugitive Sex Offender Tries To Escape From Cops On A Bike: U.S. Marshals Service

CONCORD, NH — A sex offender, wanted for failing to register with the police, has been captured, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Craig Pearson, 39, was featured as the New Hampshire fugitive of the week in last November 2022, after being accused of failing to register on Nov. 11 after being released from the Hillsborough County Jail on Nov. 6. He is required to register with police due to an indecent exposure and gross lewdness conviction in 2018 and another offense last September. Pearson was believed to be in the Manchester area, and after being featured, “multiple public tips” were submitted.

However, a deputy marshal, Andrew Grillo said it was “heads-up policing, conducted by a Manchester patrol unit,” that led to him being caught on Sunday.

“Late Sunday night,” Grillo said,” patrol officers investigating a report of suspicious activity in the vicinity of Merrimack Street and Maple Street noticed Pearson in the area. He immediately attempted to ride a bicycle away from the officers, ducking into the alleyway behind Merrimack Street. The patrol officers cornered Pearson, who repeatedly refused to identify himself.”

After being arrested, due to attempting to flee, Pearson’s identity was confirmed during booking, he said.

Grillo thanked Manchester police for “trading tips back and forth for weeks” to try and “make life uncomfortable for Pearson.” He added, “We are thankful to the patrol officers that work our neighborhoods continuously, and we appreciate their vigilance in this case.”

Pearson is a felon due to a receiving stolen property conviction out of Manchester from September 2013.

About four years later, he was arrested on indecent exposure and lewdness, resisting arrest, and two felony drug possession charges in Manchester. Six months later, one drug charge and the resisting charge were nolle prossed and he pleaded guilty to the other charges. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 12 to a violation of probation or parole charge connected to the case.

Pearson was arrested in January 2020 on two felony drug possession charges in Manchester. On Oct. 12, one charge was nolle prossed while he pleaded guilty to the second charge.

In September 2020, he was arrested on more drug charges and a disorderly conduct charge in Manchester. After repeatedly failing to appear at hearings connected to the charges, one of the drug charges and the disorderly conduct charge were nolle prossed on Oct. 12.

Pearson was arrested in Merrimack in July 2021 on a felony drug possession charge, driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent, and three deal-possession prescription drug charges. He failed to appear at a status conference in September. A new hearing was held on Nov. 9.

In January, he was arrested on another drug possession charge in Manchester and pleaded guilty to the charge on Oct. 12.

In March, the state of New Hampshire filed a civil forfeiture request for $14,425.29 against Pearson. The court failed to serve him in March and on May 11. The request was dismissed on June 13.

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