Somersworth Police Nab Felon Fugitive With Swastika Tattoos: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — A felon fugitive with a lengthy criminal history who was thought to be armed and dangerous possibly has been found.

Jason William Chapman, 49, was wanted on a parole violation after being convicted on a burglary charge. He was featured about three weeks ago by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections as its fugitive of the week. The fugitive program, which was launched about a year ago, circulates information about people who are wanted by corrections to the public and police departments.

One of those recognizable descriptors for Chapman was several tattoos — including a Swastika on his abdomen and red Swastika with a black flame and a rose on his left arm. He also has a spiderweb with a Swastika on his left elbow and neck tattoos featuring the grim reaper, the words “Power” and “Pride,” and the letters “SS.”

Somersworth police pulled over a vehicle where Chapman was a passenger on Sunday, according to an update. Police immediately recognized him from the fugitive posting — which led to officers cautiously approaching the situation, officials said.

“Initially,” the updated stated, “Chapman provided a false name, however, officers identified him through distinctive tattoos, prompting Chapman to admit his identity.”

Chapman is being housed at the Strafford County House of Corrections awaiting legal proceedings, the update said.

According to superior court records, Chapman’s criminal history dates back more than 25 years, when he was named “Jason Pike” and was accused of robbery in Rochester.

After two years of court hearings, the charge was nolle prossed after a motion for a mistrial in October 1998.

In June 2004, he was accused of burglary in Strafford County. The case was closed two weeks later. Chapman was also accused of theft and witness tampering in Rochester as well as an attempt charge in Dover, all felonies, in November 2004. He pleaded guilty to all the charges in May 2005.

About a decade later, there were more cases: felony willful concealment out of Gorham in May 2014, cases that were dismissed, and acts prohibited in Farmington, theft of a vehicle in Rochester, and burglary in Somersworth in August 2014. Chapman later pleaded guilty to all the charges.

Chapman was charged with felony escape in February 2015, after an incident in Concord in December 2014, and pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2016.

Also in December 2014, he was accused of receiving stolen property, conduct after accident-death, injury, witness tampering, driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and driving after revocation or suspension charges in Rochester. He was charged a month later. Chapman pleaded guilty to all of the charges a year later. He received multiple sentences, some suspended.

According to the court, in June 2023, the case was reopened, and a show cause hearing was booked for September 2023. Chapman failed to appear, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. In late December 2023, the warrant was vacated. Bail was set at $50 on Jan. 4. However, Chapman failed to appear again at a show cause hearing on March 7, and another warrant was issued for his arrest.

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