Pair Arrested After Reported Snow Removal Ax And Assault Incident

PELHAM, NH — Two local men were arrested and released after an alleged assault and criminal threatening incident last night in nearby Pelham, according to police. Eric Chojnacki, 57, of Pelham, was arrested on Feb. 7, 2018, and charged with felony criminal threatening-deadly weapons. Also arrested was Issam Mousa, 54, of Pelham, for simple assault.

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

Police were sent to Ballard Road at around 4:15 p.m. yesterday for a report of a man attacking a vehicle with an ax, according to Capt. Stephen Toom of the Pelham Police Department. When officers arrived, they spoke with both Chojnacki and Mousa. Mousa reported that he was plowing his driveway when Chojnacki allegedly “approached his truck” while carrying the ax and began to strike the driver’s side window “in a threatening manner.”

Mousa reportedly exited the truck and confronted Chojnacki. A verbal altercation then ensued regarding snow that was reportedly plowed into Chojnacki’s yard, police noted.

“The verbal altercation quickly turned into a physical altercation between Mr. Mousa and Mr. Chojnacki,” Toom alleged.

After investigating the incident, both men were arrested. Chojnacki is due in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South on Feb. 22, for arraignment. Mousa was released on a summons and is due in court on March 5.

Images via Pelham Police.