EPPING — Following a high-speed pursuit that began with multiple failed traffic stops, a Connecticut man was apprehended by New Hampshire State Police with the aid of a K9 unit on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University.
The incident began at 6:36 p.m. on June 11 when Troopers from Troop A, alerted by the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, were on the lookout for a black 2000 Mercedes ML320.
The driver had eluded the Lee Police Department and was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Rochester, causing property damage.
Trooper Matthew Dushame spotted the suspect vehicle heading south on Route 125 in Epping shortly after receiving the BOLO alert.
When Dushame attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver sped off, initiating a chase through Epping onto Route 101 west and Interstate 93 north.
The pursuit concluded at Southern New Hampshire University in Hooksett, where the driver, confronted with a dead-end road, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby woods.
State Police, along with the Canine and Unmanned Aerial Systems Units, established a perimeter and launched a search operation, while the university alerted its community and instituted a shelter-in-place order.
At approximately 8 p.m., police located 23-year-old Michael J. Delucco of Cromwell, Connecticut, in a wooded area adjacent to East Side Drive.
Delucco, who was found to be unarmed, was arrested following the deployment of a police K9.
Delucco faces several charges, including felony reckless conduct and multiple misdemeanors such as disobeying an officer, aggravated DUI, driving after suspension due to a DUI conviction, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
He also received a civil violation for reckless operation.
Following his arrest, Delucco was held at the Rockingham County House of Corrections and is scheduled to appear in Brentwood District Court on June 12.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the pursuit and ongoing investigation, including Troop B, Troop D, the Manchester, Hooksett, Candia, and Auburn Police Departments, and the Rockingham and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Hooksett Fire-Rescue Department.
