Nashua Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Police With Guns, Explosives

NASHUA, NH — A man from Nashua was arrested Friday on multiple charges after being accused of threatening to kill cops and making assertions he placed time explosives in both Merrimack and Nashua on July 4 — claims that were ultimately found to be false.

On Wednesday, police received a report that Daniel Mercado, 24, of Nashua, was posting threats on social media, according to Sgt. John Cinelli, the public information officer and communications division supervisor of the Nashua Police Department.

“(Mercado said) he was going to kill Nashua police officers by shooting them, hitting them with his vehicle, and throwing explosives at them while driving around in his car,” he said.

Officers found his vehicle and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. However, Mercado was accused of fleeing from police into Massachusetts. There, he was eventually stopped and taken into custody.

“Officers then learned that Mercado had also made claims he had placed timed explosives in Nashua and Merrimack for the 4th of July,” Cinelli said.

Detectives continued to investigate the allegation and “confirmed” Mercado’s statements about the timed explosives “were false,” he said.

Mercado waived extradition and was arrested by Nashua police on false reports-explosives/bomb threats and two criminal threatening charges, all felonies, as well as disobeying an officer and reckless driving. After being arrested, Mercado was held on preventative detention and was scheduled to be arraigned in Nashua District Court on Monday.

Mercado, according to superior court records, was accused of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Nashua in January 2020. About two years later, the charges were nolle prossed.

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