Penacook Man Arrested on OUI, Drug Charges After Fleeing Cops: Report

MERRIMACK, NH — A Concord man was arrested and held last night on drunk driving and drug charges after allegedly driving erratically in Merrimack, according to police. Joshua Burney, 38, of Village Street in Penacook, was arrested on April 2, 2017, for operating under the influence of liquor, aggravated operating under the influence of liquor, felony possession of drugs, and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimack Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

At around 9:30 p.m. last night, police in Merrimack were sent to a local business for a report of a suspicious man acting erratically. Police located the man and allegedly saw him driving a motor vehicle. A check found that the driver was Joshua Burney of Penacook, according to Sgt. Gregory Walters of the Merrimack Police Department.

“When officers attempted to stop Burney, he drove away at a high rate of speed,” Walters alleged. “Officers initially began to pursue Burney, however quickly discontinued due to his erratic operation.”

Burney, however, reportedly stopped his vehicle on Technology Drive in Bedford and was taken into custody by Merrimack Police.

“Quantities of drugs were located in the motor vehicle,” Walters stated.

Burney was transported back to Merrimack, processed, and held in the Hillsborough County Jail after he refused bail. He was arraigned this morning.

According to online reports, Burney has been arrested a number of times during the past few years.

New Hampshire State Police arrested Burney in December 2016, on a drug possession charge on I-93 in Concord. Back in September 2013, he was arrested on assault charges after a man accused him of grabbing his hair and dragging him across a floor. Burney was also charged with negligent driving in June 2012, in Penacook.

Last month, Burney was indicted in Merrimack County Superior Court on felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-methamphetamine charge.