Crime & Safety

Alleged 'Sucker Puncher' Caught by Police

Portsmouth Police say tips online led to the capture of James Egal of Dover.

Police in Portsmouth believe they have the man who reportedly punched another patron at Gilley’s Lunch Cart downtown on July 15, 2015.

James Egal, 33, of Dover, was arrested on July 26, 2015.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

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According to Capt. Frank Warchol, police posted a video of a “sucker punch” incident at the business on the department’s Facebook site.

Two days after posting the video, police received a tip about who might have thrown the punch. After investigating the incident, a warrant was issued for Egal and he turned himself in this week. He’s due in court on Aug. 31.

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“The Portsmouth PD would like to thank all of those who viewed the video and provided tips to our officers,” Warchol said in a statement.

According to online reports, Egal was arrested in 2011 for robbery.

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