Merrimack Man Arrested On Charges After Capital Region Cop, NH State Police Trooper Chase

CONCORD, NH — A man from Merrimack faces several charges after being accused of fleeing cops and state troopers through several jurisdictions on Wednesday night, leading to his arrest in Concord on Thursday morning.

Around 11 p.m., New Hampshire State Police dispatch was informed about a police chase involving a 2015 Toyota Tundra through Hillsboro, Henniker, and Hopkinton. The pickup driver was accused of failing to stop and speeding.

State police caught up with the driver on Route 77 in Weare, driving east toward Dunbarton, according to Michal Sventek, a public information officer for state police. Spike strips were deployed at the Route 77 and Route 13 intersection, deflating one tire, he said.

“Despite having one tire deflated, the driver of the Toyota continued to flee,” Sventek said.

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

State police took over as the primary pursuing agency after the pickup entered Bow and then into Concord, back into Bow, and then onto Interstate 89 north.

“Just before reaching the Hopkinton town line,” Sventek said, “an officer from the Hillsboro Police Department successfully deployed spike strips again, deteriorating the Toyota’s tires and bringing the vehicle to a full stop around Mile Marker 6. The driver then fled on foot into the woods while a passenger was detained.”

A state police K-9 was requested to the scene, but the driver, identified later as Eric Dearborn, 35, of Merrimack, “fled through the woods and was later picked up by an unknown person.”

State police issued warrants for Dearborn’s arrest on reckless operation and disobeying an officer charges.

Concord police arrested him on Thursday morning. During their interaction, Sventek said Dearborn attempted to flee and was charged with resisting arrest.

Members of the Hillsboro, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Concord police departments assisted troopers in this case. All aspects of the case remain under investigation, Sventek said.

According to a post on Patch from 2018, Dearborn was arrested in Merrimack domestic violence, second-degree assault, and other charges. In December 2021, he pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge after an incident in Merrimack in January 2020, and received a suspended sentence.

Anyone with information about this case was asked to contact Trooper Kelsey Scott at 603-223-4381 or kelsey.p.scott@dos.nh.gov.

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