Homeless Felon Accused Of Stealing Amazon Van, Aggravated Drunken Driving: NH State Police

CONCORD, NH — A homeless felon now located in Concord faces several charges after being accused of stealing an Amazon delivery van in Concord on Sunday.

Concord police were called around 2:45 p.m. to investigate a stolen Amazon delivery van on South Fruit Street. According to Amber Lagace, a public information officer for the New Hampshire State Police, the company was tracking the vehicle via cellphone. State troopers were able to track down the truck on Interstate 93 south in Hooksett and attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to stop.

“The pursuit traveled through Hooksett and Manchester, with the vehicle ultimately coming to a stop on a dead-end road on the north side of Manchester, on Elm Street,” she said. “The driver exited the vehicle and refused to comply with commands given by troopers on scene. State Police K-9 Ragnar was deployed and apprehended the suspect. The suspect continued to be non-compliant while taken into custody.”

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The suspect, Richard Royea, 40, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, felony receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and detention, disobeying a police officer, reckless operation, and license required. Concord police will also be issuing vehicle theft charges at a later date.

Royea was taken to Concord Hospital to be evaluated and treated for injuries he sustained during the arrest. He refused bail and was taken to the county jail. Royea will be arraigned at Merrimack County Superior Court at a future date.

A trooper was also injured, Lagace said. They were treated and discharged, she said.

Lagace said the New Hampshire State Police thanked Manchester Police Department, American Medical Response-Manchester, Concord Police Department, and the Merrimack County Correctional Facility/Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office for assistance during the incident.

According to superior court records, Royea is a felon due to a burglary conviction in December 2011 after an incident in Center Harbor. He served 60 days in prison.

In Concord, in September 2021, he was arrested on a felony count of receiving stolen property as well as driving under the influence and driving after revocation or suspension charges and a lane control violation. Royea failed to appear in Merrimack County Superior Court at a final pretrial hearing on Oct. 3. He was arrested on a warrant on Oct. 17. Jury selection begins in February 2023.

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