Man Accused Of Driving Car Stolen From Nashua Involved In Pursuit

HILLSBORO, NH — A vehicle reported stolen from Nashua was involved in a pursuit that began in Antrim on Monday.

Antrim police were dispatched to the T-Bird Mini-Mart for a report of a man using narcotics in a vehicle just before 5 p.m. According to police, it was quickly determined the vehicle had been stolen from Nashua, had left the mini-mart, and was traveling on Route 202 towards Hillsboro.

Officers from Hillsboro and Antrim attempted to stop the vehicle, but the operator was accused of fleeing and driving at speeds exceeding 90 mph. Hillsboro officers spiked the vehicle near the Ford dealership and again past the McDonald’s Restaurant. The suspect vehicle then took the westbound Route 9 onramp at a high rate of speed, with three of the four tires deflated, crashing over the median on the side of the hill, police said.

The operator then fled on foot into the woods toward Gibbson Road. According to Hillsboro police, a plainclothes detective in a suit chased through the woods and captured the suspect minutes later.

The suspect was identified as Michael Stephens, 30, of Manchester. He is accused of DUI, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, possession of controlled drugs, and receiving stolen property.

A woman, who was a passenger, was also taken into custody at the location of the crash.

Henniker police and the Newbury police K-9 Unit assisted the other departments. According to police, the K-9 was able to locate narcotics suspected to have been discarded in the woods by the suspect.