Strafford man who led cops on Spaulding chase arrested in theft of car

Benjamin Hatch (NH State Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Strafford man was arrested on multiple charges today after police say he stole a car and led them on a chase on the Spaulding before fleeing the vehicle and being chased down on foot.

Police said the incident unfolded around 3:15 a.m., when Dover police advised state police troopers of a blue Honda CRV failing to stop for a moving violation. The car, which was headed northbound, was seen a short time later by a trooper who clocked the vehicle speed at 95 mph.

When Trooper Nathan Sleight tried to pull the car over, it speeded up as the driver sought to elude police by continuing to drive north.

The vehicle chase ended when Trooper Matthew Bailey deployed "stop sticks," at the Rochester tolls, deflating the front driver's side tire, police said. The driver exited the highway at Exit 11 and eventually came to a stop on Myrtle Street in Rochester, where both driver and passenger fled.

Sleight and Bailey took both individuals into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

A subsequent check of the Honda CRV's New Hampshire registration revealed it had been reported as stolen in Rochester, police said.

The driver, Benjamin Hatch, 24, of Strafford, was charged with aggravated DWI, reckless operation, driving after suspension, receiving stolen property, disobeying an officer and resisting arrest. He was scheduled to appear in the Strafford County Superior Court later today for arraignment.

The passenger, Angela Ruotolo, 31, of Westbrook, Maine, was charged with resisting arrest. She is scheduled to appear at the 7th Circuit court in Rochester in December.

State police were assisted by the Rochester Police Department during this incident. Police ask anyone who has information pertaining to this incident to contact Trooper Matthew Bailey at (603) 679-3333 or Matthew.Bailey@dos.nh.gov.