Two arrested after Strafford chase, items thrown at police

STRAFFORD — Two Rochester men were arrested following a high-speed chase that ended with an hourslong search, the New Hampshire State Police reported.

The incident began just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, when a Raymond Police Department officer tried to stop a 2019 Toyota RAV4 for an equipment violation.

A State Trooper nearby assisted and activated their emergency lights, but the driver of the RAV4 sped away onto Route 101.

During the chase, the suspects threw various items at pursuing police vehicles, including a hammer.

A powder that was later identified as fentanyl also leaked from their vehicle.

The pursuit passed through several towns before officers in Strafford successfully used tire deflation devices.

The passenger fled the RAV4 on foot into the woods, while the driver, Christopher Vages, 35, was apprehended just after midnight without further incident.

An extensive search for the passenger ensued, involving the State Police’s K-9 Unit and Special Enforcement Unit.

At 8:37 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, a State Police helicopter located the passenger, Matthew Anderson, 36, in a swamp.

Vages faces charges including felony reckless conduct, falsifying physical evidence, drug possession, and a misdemeanor count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, along with a reckless operation violation.

Anderson has been charged with felony falsifying physical evidence, drug possession, reckless conduct, and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

Both were also wanted on outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions.

Both suspects are being held in preventative detention and are set for arraignment on Monday, Nov. 4, in Rochester District Court.

The State Police were assisted by the Strafford and Raymond Police Departments, as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Authorities encourage anyone with further information to contact Trooper Jacob Benjamin at [email protected].