Nashua Man Arrested On Arson, Mischief, Stalking, Other Charges

NASHUA, NH — A Nashua man with no fixed address was arrested Saturday on arson and other charges after two separate incidents in the Gate City.

At around 7 p.m., a police officer discovered an active fire at a home on Pleasant Street and was able to extinguished it. The fire was found to have been "ignited purposely" and "placed occupants of a multi-unit apartment building in danger," according to Lt. Patrick Hannon of the department's criminal investigation division.

While officers and firefighters were at the scene, a resident of the building reported seeing Aaron J. Eldredge, 32, of no fixed address in the city, "arrive to the area" and "then abruptly leave once told police were looking for him," an affidavit said. A wagon and its contents were found at the scene and determined to be "in Eldredge's possession hours earlier," the report said. Investigators also alleged several items in the wagon were stolen.

About four hours later, officers were sent to Kinsely Street for a domestic incident. When they arrived, they met with a woman who accused Eldredge of punching a hole in a wall of her apartment during an argument. Police found Eldredge had a warrant due to a previous incident involving the woman, according to the affidavit. He was also out on bail and required not to be near the woman, the report stated.

"The officers located Eldredge a short time later and placed him under arrest," Hannon said.

On Saturday, during an early morning interview with the victim, she accused Eldredge of disclosing to her that he had set the apartment on fire earlier that evening.

Later, police interviewed Eldredge and accused of him of admitting to damaging the apartment wall and to ownership of the wagon and its contents. Before getting into the arson allegation, he requested medical assistance and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Eldredge was ultimately charged with felony arson, criminal mischief, detention and sanctions for default of breach of bail conditions, and receiving stolen property charges. He faces 10 years in prison. Eldredge was held on $1,000 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court South Monday.

According to court documents, Eldredge was convicted of robbery and burglary in June 2019 and later, accused of violation of probation or parole, a claim that was withdrawn in August.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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