Handcuffed Target theft suspect ingests drugs in cruiser putting 2 officers at risk

Surveillance images from Target robbery on Monday; inset Robert Bragg (Somersworth Police photo)

SOMERSWORTH - The man accused of stealing a game console from Target on Monday and threatening a plow driver with a knife as he fled the scene was arrested later that night in Dover when police officers located a man who fitted the suspect's description.
Somersworth Police responded and were able to identify the suspect as Robert Bragg, 42, a local transient. A search of Bragg turned up both suspected heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamines.
While en route to Somersworth Police Department for processing a handcuffed Bragg managed to produce another bag of suspected heroin/fentanyl from his rear body area and toss it onto the seat where he then leaned over to consume contents of the bag, Somersworth Police Captain John Sunderland said in a statement sent out Tuesday,
Upon arrival at the Somersworth Police Department, officers assisted Bragg by removing the substance from his mouth. During this incident, Bragg is clearly chewing a large bag of suspected heroin/fentanyl while
talking and sending particles of the substance about the air and the cruiser. The officers were able to remove a large broken open bag of suspected heroin/fentanyl from his mouth and render aid, which further exposed
them to the dangerous effects of the substance as the bag ripped open and contents were strewn about into the air.
Stewarts Ambulance responded to render medical aid to Bragg and the officers, who were all transported to Wentworth Douglass Hospital where they were treated and released after several hours.
Bragg was then transported back to the Somersworth Police Department where he was charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of falsifying physical evidence, three counts of possession of a controlled drug, and three counts of reckless conduct.
Bragg also had an active arrest warrant out of Rockingham Superior Court for non-appearance.
He was later transported to the Strafford County House of Corrections pending an arraignment on Tuesday.

Sunderland said the incident shows the dangers posed to police officers due to fentanyl exposure.
"This case certainly highlights the officers who risked their safety in order to save the life of Bragg," he said. "The actions of the suspect at the store jeopardized the safety of the public and store employees. His continued actions jeopardized the safety of police officers and other first responders once he was in custody. The officers are commended for their selfless actions in this case."

Bragg continues to be held at Strafford County Jail on no bail, jail personnel said today.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Somersworth Police Department directly at 603-692-3131, or you can leave an anonymous tip by phone at 603-692-9111 or online by visiting
https://www.somersworth.com/police/webforms/submit-tip