Salem Teen Faces Assault On Police Officer, Other Charges

SALEM, NH — Two teenagers and a juvenile were arrested in Salem on multiple charges after police were sent to Lancelot Court for a report of car break-ins on Thursday.

Around 3 p.m., police received reports that “multiple people” were breaking into vehicles but later fled into the woods near Soule Elementary School, according to Chief Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department.

“Responding officers immediately set up a perimeter and began to search the area,” he said, adding a deputy from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office also assisted. “Following multiple foot pursuits, officers arrested three suspects.”

Josue Portillo, 18, pictured, of Salem was arrested on three counts of simple assault on a police officer, theft by unauthorized taking, and resisting arrest charges. Anthony Traficante, 19, of Salem faces resisting arrest, criminal mischief, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, and three breach of bail charges. And a juvenile was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled drug, possession of tobacco, loitering and prowling, and resisting arrest or detention.

“(In) an initial investigation,” Dolan said, “Salem Police Department determined that multiple personal property crimes were committed during this incident. The subjects also were found in possession of a delivered package that had been stolen from a home in Salem.”

Traficante, who had multiple outstanding warrants on drug dealing charges, was held without bail and was not cooperative during processing, Dolan added, so police were unable to release a booking photo of him after the arrest. He will be arraigned on Jan. 3, 2022, in Rockingham County Superior Court and Salem District Court. Portillo was also held without bail and will be arraigned Rockingham County Superior Court on Monday. The juvenile will be arraigned in family court at a later date.

Dolan said the incident was still under investigation and more charges could be filed in the future.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem 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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