NASHUA — A Nashua man is facing multiple felony charges after making threats against police officers and falsely claiming he had placed explosives in the area, authorities said Friday.
Daniel Mercado, 24, was arrested on July 5 after a series of incidents that began two days earlier when he allegedly posted threats on social media.
According to the Nashua Police Department, Mercado threatened to shoot officers, run them over with his vehicle, and throw explosives at them.
Officers located Mercado and attempted to stop his car on July 3, but he fled, leading to a pursuit that crossed into Massachusetts.
Mercado was eventually stopped and taken into custody.
During the investigation, Mercado claimed to have set timed explosives in Nashua and Merrimack, intentionally timed for Independence Day celebrations.
However, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division determined that these claims were false.
Mercado has been charged with two counts of felony Criminal Threatening, one count of felony False Reports regarding Explosives/Bomb Threats, misdemeanor Disobeying an Officer, and misdemeanor Reckless Driving.
He waived extradition and was arrested by Nashua officers.
Held on preventative detention, Mercado is scheduled to be arraigned at the 9th Circuit – District Division – Nashua Court on July 8 at 1 p.m.