Texas Soldier Surrenders to Police at Portsmouth Hotel

Portsmouth Police negotiated the surrender of a U.S. Army soldier after reportedly barricading himself in a local hotel on Feb. 12, 2015, according to police.

Joseph Russell Miller, 29, of Gunther Street in San Antonio, TX, surrendered to police after a standoff at the Hilton Gardens Inn on Hanover Street.

According to police, officers received a complaint about a man staying at the hotel who was wanted by the U.S. Army for military desertion. The Stratham Police Department also relayed the information to police and both departments were able to confirm that he was staying at the hotel.

According to Stratham Police Chief John Scippa, Miller was arrested on Feb. 9, 2015, and charged with driving while intoxicated, transporting an alcoholic beverage, and carrying a loaded handgun without a permit.

Officers attempted to get him to come out but he reportedly refused and during the course of an hour, did not respond to requests to exit the room.

The Seacoast Emergency Response Team’s negotiating unit was activated and arrived at the scene to assist, according to a report. 

At around 3:15 p.m., Miller surrendered and was transported to Portsmouth Hospital to “tend to injuries that were not a result of this event,” according to Capt. Mike Schwartz of the Portsmouth Police Department. After being discharged, he was held in the Rockingham County Jail awaiting transfer to the U.S. Army.

“The Portsmouth Police Department appreciates the professional and courteous cooperation provided by the Hilton Garden Inn staff,” Schwartz said in a statement.

If anyone has any information relating to this case is urged to contact Sergeant Jon Aubin at 603-610-7551 or by anonymously calling Crime Stoppers at 431-1199 or 207-439-1199, or the website at seacoastcrimestoppers.org.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth and Stratham Police Departments. 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.