Tewksbury Police Charge N.H. Man With Drug Trafficking

TEWKSBURY - A 22-year-old New Hampshire man is facing drug and assault charges after Tewksbury police attempted to arrest him for possession of a drug-filled syringe only to have the suspect try to flee the scene, striking a detective with his car door.

Howard Luke, 22, of 39 Brad Court, Manchester, N.H. was arrested on Feb. 10 by Tewksbury police and charged with: trafficking in fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance (three counts); assault and battery on a police officer; assault with a dangerous weapon; resisting arrest; willful and malicious destruction of property; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; failure to stop for police; disorderly conduct; and equipment violation.

Tewksbury police allege that detectives noticed Luke acted suspicious inside his parked vehicle on Route 133 on Friday. When detectives approached the driver, they saw he had a syringe filled what they believed to be narcotics.

After detectives identified themselves, they told Luke to shut off the vehicle. Instead, Luke allegedly shifted the car into reverse, striking one of the detectives with the open car door. Luke's car then crashed into the detective's vehicle.