Man Arrested After Striking, Damaging Hydrant

A Merrimack man was charged with driving while intoxicated on Friday after losing control of his car, veering into the woods and striking and damaging a fire hydrant in the process.

Charles Caron, 47, of 92 Bedford Road, Merrimack, was charged with DWI – a first offense and a yellow line violation in the accident. Police say they were called at 9:32 p.m. on Aug. 16 to an accident with unknown injury on Bedford Road near Winding Brook. They arrived with fire and ambulance and found Caron’s car in the woods. Caron was evaluated by medical personnel and released, but during a brief investigation, police say they detected an odor of alcohol on his breath while speaking with him and recognized signs of impairment. He was arrested and transported to the Merrimack Police Department to be processed. He was released on $1,500 personal recognizance pending his arraignment before the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Sept. 4.

Also arrested last week were:

Gail Ruprecht, of Cedar Lane, Merrimack, was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, OUIL per se aggravated, criminal mischief and two counts of simple assault. Police say they responded to a Cedar Lane residence on Aug. 12 for a domestic disturbance and learned Ruprecht allegedly assaulted a family member and caused damage to some of their property. When she attempted to leave the residence in her vehicle, she was determined to be intoxicated and subsequently she was arrested, police say. Ruprecht was released on $2,000 personal recognizance bail and was scheduled to appear before the Merrimack’s district court on Aug. 15 to answer to the charges.

Michael McLaughlin, 19, of 2 Nathaniel Drive, Hudson, was charged with speed, following too closely, possession of marijuana, transporting marijuana, minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage and transporting alcohol. Police say they stopped a 2001 Honda Accord for two motor vehicle infractions on Daniel Webster Highway near Columbia Circle shortly after midnight on Aug. 11. While speaking with the driver, identified as McLaughlin, the officer allegedly learned there was a small amount of marijuana in the car as well as three cans of beer. McLaughlin was arrested and released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail and was ordered to appear in the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Aug. 15 to answer to the charges.

Leah Landino, 17, of Thornton Road West, Merrimack, was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief. Police arrived at a home on Thornton Road West on Aug. 13 for a report of a domestic disturbance and learned Landino had allegedly assaulted a family member and damaged property at the home. Landino was arrested and released on $ 3,000 personal recognizance bail and scheduled to appear before the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Aug. 15 to answer to the charges.

Nicholas Castonguay, 24, of 17 Parkhurst Dr., Nashua, was charged with operating with a suspended license, possession and transportation of marijuana. On Aug. 12, a Merrimack police officer stopped a motor vehicle on Route 101A after witnessing a motor vehicle violation and learned while running Castonguay’s license that it had been suspended. While being placed into custody, the officer allegedly found Castonguay to be in possession of marijuana. Castonguay was released on $2,000 personal recognizance bail and was scheduled to appear before the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Aug. 15 to answer to the charges.

Timothy M. Charpentier, of 219 Notre Dame Ave., Apt 3S, Manchester, was charged with operating after suspension (1st), operating with a suspended registration, and driving an uninspected motor vehicle. On Aug. 13 at 9:40 a.m., Merrimack Police arrested a Manchester man after he was stopped on Daniel Webster Highway near Wire Road. Officer Lindom stopped the car for not having an inspection sticker and identified the driver as Timothy Charpentier. A license and records check reveled that both his license and registrations were suspended, as of that date, for a default of a court summons. Charpentier was released on $500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Aug. 29 to answer to the charges.

Jesus Cora-Cruz, 37, of Waterville Drive, Merrimack, was charged with criminal mischief and simple assault. Police say they were called on Monday, Aug. 13to the area of Waterville Drive for an ongoing domestic disturbance. While responding, officers stopped a vehicle being operated by Cora-Cruz near 76 Belmont Drive and after a brief investigation, learned Cora-Cruz had reportedly damaged property within a residence as well assaulted a person by pushing them. Cora-Cruz was arrested and released on $1,500 personal recognizance bail and was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court District Division in Merrimack on Aug. 15.