Man faces slew of charges after high speed I-93 chase in stolen car

Justin Dutton (Merrimack Police photo)

MANCHESTER - A high speed chase of a stolen BMW on Interstate 93 ended with the arrest of a Merrimack man following deployment of a tire deflation device near Exit 5 in Manchester.

The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday as NHSP were advised by the Bethlehem Police Department to be on the lookout for a gray 2018 BMW 328 wagon stolen from an Irving gas station.

A short while later BMW Assist was able to obtain an active location of the vehicle and reported that information to State Police, according to a press release sent by the Dept. of Safety late Saturday night.

Troopers from Troop D were able to set up and locate the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Interstate 93 in the area of Exit 18 in Canterbury, but the vehicle failed to pull over as a trooper attempted to initiate a stop.

The vehicle accelerated and weaved around other vehicles to elude the pursuing trooper, prompting the trooper to terminate the chase due to safety concerns.

Soon after a State Police helicopter flying in the Concord area was able to follow the vehicle, which continued to drive in a reckless manner at a high rate of speed, passing between other vehicles despite no longer being actively pursued by law enforcement.

The incident ended when troopers from Troop B were able successfully deploy a tire deflation device south of the vehicle on Interstate 293 near Exit 58 in Manchester.

After 30 miles of dangerous interstate high jinks the vehicle finally got off at Exit 4 and was stopped by Manchester Police in the area of Elm and Valley streets.

The lone operator was identified as Justin Dutton, 40, who will face multiple charges out the Merrimack and Hillsborough Superior Courts to include receiving stolen property, felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless operation, disobeying a police officer and operating after suspension subsequent offense.

Dutton also had active bench warrants for his arrest.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper Kyle Cotnoir at (603) 227-0089 or Kyle.H.Cotnoir@dos.nh.gov.