New Hampshire Transitional Housing Escapee Arrested In Pennsylvania

CONCORD, NH — A transitional housing unit walkaway placed on escape status Tuesday has been found and arrested in Pennsylvania.

Joseph Balestier, 21, who was last seen on Monday evening on South Willow Street, failed to return to the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit in Manchester, and was placed on escape status on Tuesday morning. He was convicted of burglary, criminal threatening with a firearm, and felonious use of a firearm in October 2020 after an incident in Manchester in February 2020. Three other charges — burglary at night, burglary with a firearm, and resisting arrest or detention, were nolle prossed as part of the plea bargain.

Balestier was scheduled to be paroled as early as February, with a maximum incarceration release date of February 2026. He was given work release approval in early November.

Balestier was arrested on Wednesday on false report to law enforcement, obstructing the administration of law, false identification to law enforcement, unlicensed driver, expired registration, and fugitive of justice charges by the Erie PA Police Department, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections said Thursday. He will remain in the state pending new charges and then, be extradited to New Hampshire, officials said.

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