Three Charged In Portsmouth After Gun Incident At Circle K

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Three people were arrested this afternoon after an alleged gun incident at a convenience store that police believe could have potentially turned into a robbery incident, according to a report. Tyler Welch, 20, of Bartlett Street in Portsmouth, was arrested on June 28, 2017, for disorderly conduct and breach of bail. Also taken into custody were two juveniles. Officers were sent to the Circle K on Lafayette Road for a report of a man with a firearm.

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

A witness reported that when she pulled into the parking lot of the business, she saw a man walking through the lot with a gun in his hand. It appeared, she alleged, that the man was attempting to conceal the weapon as he walked toward the story.

“Fearing for her safety, the witness drove to a remote location where she immediately called police,” according to Sgt. Kuffer Kaltenborn of the Portsmouth Police Department.

When the officers arrived, they found three suspects – two males and a female – reportedly hiding in the bushes behind the business.

“In plain view on the two male suspects were fixed-blade knives,” Kaltenborn alleged. “During the process of detaining these individuals, one male, failing to comply with police commands, approached a Portsmouth Police canine officer. As a result of that act, the police canine made contact with the advancing suspect. That individual was immediately arrested. The other two suspects were detained without incident.”

The confronting suspect, a juvenile, was eyed for injuries and taken into custody. Charges may be released at a later time, Kaltenborn noted. The female was taken into protective custody with pending charges.

“Post-arrest, all three suspects were searched and all three were found to be in possession of air pistols,” he alleged. “Some of these weapons were loaded and air-charged thus they immediately capable of firing a metal projectile. All three suspects were also armed with assorted knives and all possessed clothing which may have been intended to conceal their identity.”

Welch, according to police, was arrested earlier this month for possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, a felony, and criminal trespass, so he was held without bail and taken to the Rockingham County Jail.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed this event or who may have information relevant to the suspect’s intentions that evening are encouraged to contact Officer Scott Pearl at the Portsmouth Police Department at 603-610-7631. You can also contact Seacoast Crime Stoppers by leaving an anonymous tip at 603-431-1199 or at seacoastcrimestoppers.org. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637) with the letters "TIPSCS" and leave your tip that way. If your tip leads to an arrest or indictment of the individual you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Welch, according to reports on Patch, is no stranger police. Along with the noted arrest from two weeks ago, he was arrested in January 2016, on two assault charges and stalking. In May 2016, he was arrested on a violation of a protective order.